Research refutes EIA for Klong Wang Tonod reservoir project

Prachachat•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thammanoon Temchai presents research refuting the EIA for the Klong Wang Tonod reservoir project, citing severe impacts on wild elephant habitats.

•Thammanoon Temchai used satellite imagery and field data to challenge the EIA of the Klong Wang Tonod reservoir in Chanthaburi province.
•Research identifies 182 species of elephant food plants in the area and confirms at least 70 wild elephants reside there.
•The study claims the reservoir would flood 20,000 rai of flat forest, potentially forcing 70 elephants to migrate into Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo.
•The researcher argues that existing water infrastructure serves industry rather than local farmers.

Overview

•Thammanoon Temchai presented research at the 36th anniversary event of Seub Nakhasathien regarding the Klong Wang Tonod reservoir project in Chanthaburi.
•Research by Thammanoon Temchai found 182 species of elephant food plants in the proposed flood zone, including the rare Kluai Mu Sang Si Nuan.
•Identification of over 19,000 images confirmed at least 70 wild elephants inhabit the Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park area.
•Thammanoon Temchai stated that water factors only influence elephant distribution by 1.1%, refuting the Royal Irrigation Department's claim that the dam would attract wildlife.
•Thammanoon Temchai warned that destroying the flat forest would leave 70 elephants without habitat, as other areas are already occupied by other herds.
•The proposed reservoir would flood 20,000 rai of forest, including the Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park office and forest protection units.
•Thammanoon Temchai criticized the EIA for using old logging trails as elephant paths and providing impractical mitigation measures.
•Thammanoon Temchai proposed implementing Natural Capital Accounting and expanding EIA study radii beyond 3-5 kilometers.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Thammanoon Temchai

"Currently, there are vast water sources; if it is stated that this is for farmers, I view it as already sufficient."

ปัจจุบันแหล่งน้ำที่มีอยู่อย่างมหาศาล ถ้าระบุว่าจะทำเพื่อเกษตรกร ผมมองว่ามันเพียงพอแล้ว

Thammanoon Temchai

"70 elephants at Khao Chamao-Khao Wong caused only over 20,000 baht in damage, while Khao Ang Rue Nai caused 35 million baht; it is a completely different story."

ช้าง 70 ตัวที่เขาชะเมา-เขาวง เสียหายแค่ 20,000 กว่าบาท ในขณะที่เขาอ่างฤาไน 35 ล้านบาท มันคนละเรื่องกันเลย

Key Entities

Person

Thammanoon Temchai(ธรรมนูญ เต็มไชย)

Head of the Phetchaburi National Park Innovation Research and Development Center and an expert researcher on elephants for the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Varawut Silpa-archa(วราวุธ ศิลปอาชา)ℹ️

A minister who previously flew over the area and opposed the construction of the dam.

Organization

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation(กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช)ℹ️

The government agency responsible for wildlife and forest management.

Royal Irrigation Department(กรมชลประทาน)

The agency promoting and managing the Klong Wang Tonod reservoir project.

Seub Nakhasathien Foundation(มูลนิธิสืบนาคะเสถียร)

An organization that collaborated with Thammanoon Temchai on drone surveys of the area.

National Environment Board(คณะกรรมการสิ่งแวดล้อมแห่งชาติ)

The body to which the Royal Irrigation Department provided clarifications regarding the project.

Place

Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาชะเมา-เขาวง)ℹ️

A protected forest area in Chanthaburi province and the primary habitat for 70 wild elephants.

Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary(เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าเขาอ่างฤาไน)ℹ️

A wildlife sanctuary used as a comparison for elephant-related damages and movement.

Khao Soi Dao(เขาสอยดาว)ℹ️

A mountain area and forest zone that elephants migrate to and from.

Chanthaburi(จันทบุรี)ℹ️

The province where the Klong Wang Tonod reservoir project is located.

Sa Kaeo(สระแก้ว)ℹ️

A province where elephants may migrate if their habitat is destroyed.

Policy

Klong Wang Tonod Reservoir Project(โครงการอ่างเก็บน้ำคลองวังโตนด)

A proposed water management project that is being contested due to environmental impacts.

Patcharasutha Khachanurak Project(โครงการพัชรสุธาคชานุรักษ์)

A royal project involving elephant conservation that Thammanoon Temchai has served since 2017.