Chiang Mai satisfies with haze prevention plan

CHIANG MAI, April 27 (TNA) -- The Natural Resources and Environment Office in the northern province of Chiang Mai said that its haze prevention plan for the past 60 days has been successful this year, stressing that it has further projected to continue studying the cause of the problem, as well as to create deeper awareness among the public. Director of the environment division at the Chiang Mai Natural Resources and Environment Office Somkid Panyadee said the prevention plan, which has been implemented since February 20 through to April 20 has proven to be efficient this year. He said this year the level of PM10 had still exceeded the safety level of 120 microgrammes per cubic metres but only for four days, with around 609 hotspots found and 172,000 of forests burnt, when compared to last year's 2-week long of haze level exceeding the safety standard, 997 hotspots, and over 560,000 acres of forests destroyed by forest fires. Mr Somkid said the stricter implementations of punishments have helped to arrest at least 14 suspects who had violated the regulations on haze prevention. He noted that the measure has helped to alleviate the problem and would be continued to be used further, together with further studies into the cause of forest fires in order for concerned parties to efficiently solve and prevent the problem. He stressed that raising awareness on the issue among the public is the most important part of the prevention plan. (TNA)