CHIANG MAI, Thailand – Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin visited Chiang Mai to present land use certificates to more than 1,500 households in conservation forests, supporting the government’s policy of sustainable coexistence between communities and natural habitats. The ceremony, held at the Protected Area Regional Office 16, involved the distribution of certification documents. The Minister was welcomed by Chiang Mai Governor Ratthaphon Naradisorn, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa, and senior provincial officials. This initiative aligns with the directives of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to resolve land disputes, reduce inequality, and promote equitable resource conservation.
The Minister stated that the government seeks to turn past conflicts between residents and authorities into cooperative conservation based on sustainable coexistence. He explained that certification offers long-term security, enabling residents to pursue legal agricultural livelihoods and contribute to the restoration and protection of natural resources. He encouraged recipients to preserve the land for future generations. Certificates were issued after expedited surveys, verification, and land measurement in eight conservation forest areas. The operation covered 49 villages, 1,594 residents, and 2,121 land plots. The ministry stated that this initiative supports legal livelihood opportunities, reduces inequality, improves quality of life, and strengthens community participation in sustainable forest conservation. (NNT)
