A group of ethnic Karen people, from the Kaeng Krachan area in Phetchaburi Province, submitted a petition yesterday (Wednesday) to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation seeking the allocation of land for shared cultivation to make a living.

The petitioners came from four communities in Yang Nam Klat Nuea sub-district of Nong Ya Plong district in Phetchaburi and from Salalai sub-district of Sam Roi Yod district in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

In the petition, the Karen people referred to a cabinet resolution of August 3rd, 2010 requiring the Culture Ministry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to rehabilitate the Karen communities and to register their traditional rotational farming system as a cultural local wisdom.  They claim, however, that the Ministry has not actioned the cabinet’s decision.

In their petition letter, the Karens made four additional demands, which include recognition of their traditional rotational farming system, management of the rotational farming system on shared land and discussions between representatives of each community and officials concerned for the management of the shared land assigned.

They are also demanding the setting up of a joint committee of community representatives and officials from the Kui Buri and Kaeng Krachan national parks to manage the land for rotational farming and to revoke the edict which nullifies the rights of people who did not report their land occupation within the set deadline.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service