 |
||||||
|
|
||||||
Thai Version Click Here
|
||||||
|
|
After WFCC was informed about damaged pontoons of Ongtung-Huaikue Marine Wildlife Checkpoint, it was March 2006 WFCC truck loaded with completed materials headed to its site as to repair the damaged pontoons, also to maintain general condition of the checkpoint after its over 3 years duty since it was constructed in 2003 when Mr. Paiboon Sawetmalanon stated as the chief in command of Thungyai Naresuan WS. The marine checkpoint was initiated under both Thungyai and WFCC collaboration of its sensitive geological site. Firstly, it is the main gate to the pristine upper wetland of Maeklong river. And, secondly, it is a major water trail poachers often use to transport wildlife carcasses and timbers as shown in several reports.
Throughout the mission, WFCC sincerely received a well cooperation of Western Fishery Patrol Center which is in subdivision of Fisheries Department. The center is a concentrated significant organization who undertakes site management and protection of botanical resources, including terrestrial and marine lives in the area of Srinakharin Reservoir. Also, they have gradually well-cooperated with WFCC conservation activities in the western forest complex where the site of Srinakharin reservoir is apart. We stopped at the central checkpoint of Srinakharin Dam National Park after an hour on speed boat. The place is called "Samprasob" or "Samsob" which means the confluence of the three rivers. It is where Khakhaeng, Plu, and Maeklong or Kwae-Yai rivers meet. While resting, we saw a heap of timber laid in front of the floating checkpoint. The officer informed that it was recently confiscated from villagers. He told, several wildlife poaching, deforestation, etc. continuously increase in these days. After timbers were cut, the poachers mostly concealed them by covering with other materials loaded onto their boat, he added. On a side of wall, we noticed a paper board notifying rules & regulations, including penalties of violation. We discussed about the weakness of penalties and thought that it should be raised and the fine should be increased to be more effective, to cope with nowadays situation.
A moment after left Srinakharin National Park's checkpoint, we then reached the checkpoint of Samprasob National Park. On the river bank there, we saw two confiscated constructions that has been left ruin along current stream for a long time. We thought it must be much useful if the buildings were renovated, or if the person in charge takes material to reconstruct as a station or checkpoint to support the mission of pristine wildlife and jungle protection.
Finally we reached our destination, the Ongtung-Huaikue marine wildlife checkpoint before noon. It was situated on a bank of Kwae-Yai river. The opposite side situated a checkpoint of Huai Khakhaeng WS. The two checkpoints help each other undertaken the same duty of protecting the upper wetland of Maeklong river where contains pristine ecological systems with abundant of wildlife and vegetation. Their responsibility is to force the rules and regulations stipulated by the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant (DNP) to be effective. In 2003 when Mr. Somchai Piasathaporn stated as the director of DNP, the upper wetland of Maeklong river was declared as a preserved and protected area that all single passengers need to have prior permission only from the director of DNP. After wharfing the boat, we unloaded all equipments to the floating checkpoint and then inspect their function. We started to install pedestal, and a Buddha image was placed. The Buddha image was derived from Samutsakorn province. It was one of three WFCC sincerely received from Mr. Anothai after his visit at a temple in Samutsakorn province. One was previously placed at the Central Radio Communication Network station at hermit hill, while another placed at Yuyee radio communication center at Huai Khakhaeng WS . When the pedestal installation completed, we paid respect to the Buddha image, and continued the work at once. Mr. Aun repaired the damaged solar cell electric system. It was destroyed by some poachers while rangers of the marine wildlife checkpoint were out for patrol. Not only the electric system was damaged, but also officer's assets were stolen.
While Mr. Aun and his assistants were repairing the system, the others worked on threading a floats. The first lot of plastic buoys were donated by Mr. Mana and Mr. Prasert. Eventhough but they were not durable to strong sunlight. Some were even stolen by villagers, they had been used to bar the water ways for a period of time. However, we have sourced for a better quality for the second lot. Ultimately, we found a high quality fiberglass buoys at a Samutsakorn province. The totally 100 buoys cost Bt. 12,000 , there were two colors; red and blue. Buoys were alternately threaded in every 5 colored buoys to be noticeable. The completed buoys were about 200 meters at length, enough to stretch across Maeklong river as new barrier in the water way.
Not only Mr. David from Iowa, another 2 volunteers whose the ITV news staffs and the friends of Mr. Mana and Mr. Prasert attended the mission. By the time the buoys were completely threaded, Mr. Aun who just finished repairing the damaged electric system threw the threaded buoys onto the river. Then some staffs swam in the river to install buoys with sling cable with bamboo afloat. Mr. Nithas Suwan, WFCC officer from Kanchanaburi province, together with Mr. Prasert Lerkbangplad rowed across the river to Huai Khakhaeng side to stretch the buoys across the river and control its range while Mr. Moo, the fishery center officer and Mr. Thong ,Thungyai ranger, helped at the other side.
When the buoy installation was completed, WFCC handed food supplies and necessary material such as; spotlight, battery, paint and painting equipment, to the marine checkpoint officer as to award his devotion toward wildlife & jungle protection.
After the mission was totally completed, all staffs together joined lunch which again provided by the chief of fishery center Mr. Veera Rattanajinda that very impressed all of us there before we departed at about 3 pm of the same day.
The mission of Ongtung-Huaikue marine wildlife checkpoint was successfully completed by the well cooperation of Western Fishery Patrol Center in subdivision of fishery Department, Thungyai WS officers, and WFCC members and volunteers that made all possible and confirm to the marine wildlife checkpoint officers that it does not matter how far they are or how difficult to reach, our support will approach as well as other remote areas in the western forest complex.
Surin / report Huai Kue marine wildlife checkpoint construction project
|
|||||
|
Thai Version Click Here
|
||||||
|
About WFCC Activities Wildlife Sanctuary Bird Photo Gallery Support Projects Main Page
|
||||||
