Haze leads to forest closure in North

MAE HONG SON: Forest areas were declared off-limits yesterday as part of preventive measures against haze caused by slash-and-burn farming in the northern province.

The temporary closure will continue until Saturday in a bid to reduce the level of harmful airborne particulate matter which experts consider to be a danger to public health.

The move came after the Pollution Control Department yesterday reported dust particle levels of 136 microgrammes per cubic metre (μcg) in the province, which is above the international safety limit of 50 μcg.

Nevertheless, a source at a local agency voiced opposition to the measure, saying the forest closure was not a solution to the pollution.

Locals, particularly poor highlanders, who rely on income from selling forest products, will struggle to make ends meet during the ban, said the source.

In addition, the source said a large portion of annual state budget was allotted to measures against wildfires but only 10% had been used practically to address the problem.

Poor visibility also caused a delay to Nok Air flight DD8214 on the route from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son yesterday.

The arrival time was pushed back from 9am to 10.30am.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, more than 10 rai of roadside farmland in Khong district was enveloped by thick smog as a result of slash-and-burn in preparation for offseason paddy cultivation.

Haze also resulted in poor visibility for motorists along 500 metres of a highway linking the district to Bua Yai district in the northeastern province.

In Muang district, rice stubble on over 100 rai of farmland was also burnt by local farmers, forcing disaster prevention and mitigation officials into action to help prevent the fire from spreading to nearby residential areas.