Kaeng Krachan indigenous communities raise concerns over rights issues ahead of world heritage nomination

Members of the indigenous Karen communities living near the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex have raised concerns over unresolved community rights issues ahead of the Thai government’s 4th nomination of the forest for world heritage status in 2021.

On 16 December 2020, an event was held at the hot spring centre in Nong Ya Plong District, Phetchaburi, where members of the indigenous Karen communities living in the areas surrounding the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex came to speak about unresolved community rights issues, including issues of land rights, citizenship, and loss of their traditional way of life.

The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex covers 482,225 hectares of forest in Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, and Prachuap Kiri Khan, and includes four conservation areas in Thailand’s western region: the Kaeng Krachan National Park, the Kui Buri National Park, the Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park, and the Maenam Pachi Wildlife Sanctuary.  <<Readmore Prachatai English>>

Reference: Prachatai english <<click>>