The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reports authorities have seized more than 60,000 rai of illegally acquired rubber plantations during the forest reclamation operations.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dapong Rattanasuwan revealed that he would convene a meeting with chiefs of agencies in charge of the forest reclamation project to discuss the progress of the campaign and next implementation plans.
The government kicked off the forest reclamation mission on June 1 in an attempt to address the rampant forest encroachment.
The growing rubber industry has been blamed for the problem. According to Gen Dapong, the operations most affect non-local investors rather than local people.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment intends to recover 600,000 rai of forest areas this year and another 900,000 rai next year. Gen Dapong revealed he would propose a plan to retrieve deforested areas in the next cabinet meeting.
