LAMPHUN, 20 Jan 2015, The Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP) has established a learning center in Baanpuang Sub-district of Tunghuachang District in Lamphun Province, aimed at discouraging the ‘slash and burn’ agricultural technique.
Deputy Director General of the Department, Sakol Thinakul, presided over the opening ceremony of the center, handing out an education fund of 20,000 baht on behalf of the center to the locals.
According to DEQP officials, the slash and burn practice triggers smog and bush fires, which are persistent issues every season in the North. The practice produces dust smaller than 10 micron, which is harmful to those inhaling it, adding that the issue has greatly affected the local tourism industry.
The department and related agencies thus decided to establish learning centers in 5 different locations in the North, with an aim to inform the residents of the adverse effect of the slash and burn technique, and to teach them a better method to prepare their farmland for the next planting season. These centers are located in Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao and Maehongson.
