Forest & Wildlife Habitat

Protecting the precious forests of Thailand

In the world today for each minute that passes 25 hectares of forest are felled which is equivalent to 0.42 hectare per second. This is an astounding figure and is equivalent to approximately a football pitch being removed every 2 seconds.
In Thailand in the year 2000, there was approximately 33.09% of the land area covered by forest an area of 170,110 km2. This forest area covered all forest types including: swamp forest, trees in the agricultural landscape, patches along watercourses, economic plantations including eucalyptus and areas reforested.

How will we feel, if the area of forests in Thailand is reduced to only 90,309 km2 or 17.16% of the total land area?

However this is the total area of watershed forests that provide hydrological services to the 63 million population of the country. Are these watershed forests of only ninety thousand square kilometres sufficient to ensure the sustainable livelihoods of the total Thai population? 

Protected Areas
Today this forest area is protected under the National Parks Act (1961) for those areas designated as National Parks, and under the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act (1992) for those areas designated as Wildlife Sanctuaries. These two classifications comprise the two principle categories of Protected Areas in Thailand. Despite having these two pieces of legislation designed to protect these forest areas however destruction and multiple threats impact upon the forest area and continue to reduce its extent. This means that the livelihood security of the Thai population continues to be undermined. 
/ ©: WWF / Supol JITVIJAK
© WWF / Supol JITVIJAK

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What WWF is doing

In response to these threats to the forests of Thailand the Forest Resources Management Unit (FRMU) of WWF Thailand aims to mobilise national policies, to enhance the conservation and sustainable management of Thailand 's forest resources.

The FRMU will work with all stakeholders and partners to strengthen and improve management and planning for the terrestrial Protected Area system, promote sustainable management and utilisation of production forests and will explore ways to reverse the loss and degradation of forests to restore their ecological, economic and social roles and functions.

Building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence.