UTHAI THANI, 26 Nov 2014, The military and officials from Uthai Thani have agreed to allow 69 forest encroachers in Huy Cot ( ห้วยคต ) to stay in the area for another 3 years, under the condition that they participate in a reforestation campaign.
The agreement was made during yesterday’s meeting between the officials and the 69 locals and Karen tribe members who have encroached on the Huy Cot forest reserve area.
Attending the meeting were Colonel Pisan Nakpajol, the commander of the military in Uthai Thani, Colonel Anuson Thoopthong, the province’s Internal Security Operations Command Deputy Director, and Nakhonsawan provincial administration officials as well as the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
The meeting concluded that all the 69 individuals, who had illegally occupied the area of Huy Cot forest reserve for their personal use, would be allowed to stay in the area for the next 3 years under one condition: They must plant trees in the encroached areas during the time of their occupation.
Official said the encroachers would be asked to vacate the area immediately if they violated the agreement.
