this was indeed a great story, we all have a duty to support the areas used for our own enjoyment by supporting the locals
The real story of Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary and Huay Kha khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is plight of the Klity Lang villagers.
Local mining company Lead Concentrate Co buried the ore tailings from its mining venture, which closed in 1999. Tests of the water supply showed the ore contaminated Klity Creek, causing many residents to fall ill.The company buried the tailings at sites about 10 metres away from the creek, the main water source of the village's residents. Many villagers developed symptoms of lead poisoning.
What might be of greater concern to a many Thai people and Kanchanaburi Tourists is the water running through the Klity creek feeds the Sii Nakharin Reservoir.
The tragedy was first made public 13 years ago after a large number of these ethnic-Karen villagers fell sick and died from a mysterious illness and an unusually high percentage of newborns were found to be physically or mentally handicapped. The culprit was thought to be a nearby lead mine whose owner was accused of releasing untreated toxic waste directly into Klity creek, the village's main source of water. The stream was found to contain a layer of dangerously contaminated sediment which the relevant authorities have refused to remove, reasoning that to disturb it would only spread the poison more widely. While villagers have received treatment for superficial symptoms of ill-health, officials have refused to link the rash of cases to lead poisoning.
Claiming that their plight has been deliberately ignored because of racial prejudice, the Klity villagers sought redress from the courts, enlisting the help of several human rights groups.( www. Karenhilltribes.org.uk ) They recently won the first leg of their legal action, but it will take years, perhaps even decades, for their case to reach the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, they have to continue living in a highly toxic environment.
The Department of Water Resources has been in charge of constructing the two check dams with a budget of 5.5 million baht to collect sediment. The project is expected to complete by the end of the dry season.
Surapol Kongchanthuek, director of the Karen Studies and Development Centre who was also a member of the department's committee to solve pollution problems in the creek, said he was disappointed by the delay in rehabilitation projects.
Surachai "Nga" Chantimatorn ( Nga Caravan )gave a series of three "Heart to Heart" concerts at Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre to raise money for victims of lead poisoning in Klity Lang village.
Through our adventure tours, bringing visitors to Kanchanaburi Province we want to support these people and show their plight is not being ignored.
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