BANGKOK, 3 May 2012 (NNT) – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is speeding up the registration of hill tribe people in Kaeng Krachan National Park in a bid to prevent illegal logging, hunting and drug trafficking.

DNP Director-General Damrong Phidet said the registration of the ethnic people was to facilitate the department’s work in managing their population within Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province. He explained that the hill tribe people who settled in the area were outside the government’s control and had caused many problems, such as deforestation, wildlife poaching and drug trafficking.

The registration, expected to be completed within one week, includes identification card issuance for the hill tribe people. Their entering and leaving the national park will be recorded. The director-general said around 200 officers would be deployed to register the people.

Mr. Damrong added that the registration and limitation of the hill tribe population in the area would help the department oversee the national park more efficiently.

National News Bureau of Thailand