The Royal Forest Department has order an investigation into an allegation that one of its former employees has encroached on the Pang Asoke woodlot, in Klang Dong sub-district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, to claim land under the Sor Por Kor (agricultural land reform) program.
The allegation was made by Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, chief of the Office of National Parks, after he and his team found a backhoe and tractor on a recently-cleared plot of land in the Pang Asoke woodlot. He claimed that about 64 hectares have been cleared and a Sor Por Kor 4-01 land certificate has been issued to a former employee of the Royal Forest Department.
The backhoe and tractor were seized and have been taken to Mu Si police station for safe keeping, pending outcome of the investigation by the Royal Forest Department.
Royal Forest Department chief Surachai Achalaboon said today that a team will be sent to the area to investigate, adding that it does not matter whether the former employee is stilling working or has left the department.
He said that he has also ordered a check of the trees which were felled on the disputed plot, to find out whether they are protected.
Chaiwat also claims that more than 32,800 hectares of land in 142 national parks and botanical gardens have been issued with Sor Por Kor land certificates, ready for conversion to title deeds, adding that several plots do not have demarcation stones, but were issued with Sor Por Kor land certificates anyway.
He says that the mapping technology used by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is highly accurate while the One Map system is not yet ready.
