Khao Yai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Thailand’s third largest and one of the most visited national parks. KhaoKhao Yai National Park which is north-east of the Thai capital Bangkok stretches across more than 2,000 sq km (770 sq miles) and is very popular with hikers. It’s the oldest national park in Thailand and known for its waterfalls, animals and scenery.
But tourists have been blamed for spoiling the natural landscape by leaving behind empty bottles, cans and food packaging
Many countries and cities of the world are dependent on the tourism industry, but sometimes the behavior of tourists becomes a problem not only for the locals but also for the environment. Thailand is one of the favorite places of tourist around the world. In 2016 Thailand had 30 2.6 million visitors a rise of nearly nine percent from 2015 and 2017 the number of tourists visiting Thailand exceeded to 35 million. But for the purpose of educating the tourists and giving them a lesson, the idea by the management of a national park is being praised everywhere. In September, tourists came to visit Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park received couriers to their home. The garbage thrown by the tourists was sent back to their home, on this courier it was written that “you have left your valuables behind you”. Authorities in the popular Khao Yai National Park near Bangkok will start sending rubbish back to litterers, To make it easier for authorities to track offenders down and ship them any rubbish they leave behind, visitors to the Khao Yai National Park will have to register their addresses. Thailand’s environment minister said Offenders will also be registered with the police.
Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa posted pictures of litter collected in cardboard parcels ready to be shipped on his Facebook account.
“Your trash – we’ll send it back to you,” the post warns, reminding people that littering in a national park is an offence and punishable with up to five years in prison and hefty fines. Although there is no policy to return the garbage in the Thai National Park, with a penalty for spreading the dirt here prison is provisioned. According to Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife Conservation last year 20 million people traveled to Thailand’s National Park. According to estimates, in the New Year season alone, people threw 50,000 kilograms of garbage. Earlier 50% of the coral reef was damaged in Thailand’s protected tropical paradise ‘Maya Bay’ due to the waste thrown by the tourists. After this it was closed for two years. Maya Bay is also featured in the 2000 Hollywood film The Beach. The situation in the National Park has improved after two months of strict lockdown in Thailand. In view of this, now the rule of closing the park for a regular interval to control human activities is also being considered.
Isn’t it amazing people are getting lessons for their doings and because of these baby steps we will be able to help our environment and natural resources. People need to be give a lesson by which they understand the importance of the natural resources and the safety of the animals. Thailand knows it all.
Diabohra@samacharline