Bangkok Post – Hotspots lead to Chiang Dao reserve closure

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation ordered the closure of the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Mai province after several man-made hotspots were found in sensitive ecological areas.

Attapol Charoenchansa, the department’s chief, said the sanctuary is closed until forest officials resolve problems related to forest encroachment, forest burning and homestay ventures.

He said a huge number of forest areas with fertile ecological systems and biosphere reserves have been destroyed by man-made fires.

Chiwat Limlikit-aksorn, director of the National Park Office, and his team earlier visited the area to deal with forest encroachment and homestay activities. A report…