Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
in Thailand. It covers the areas of five protected areas in the
Dong Phaya Yen Mountains
Dong Phaya Yen or Dong Phya Yen ( th, ทิวเขาดงพญาเย็น, , lit. "jungle of the cold lord") is a mountain range in Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Lopburi, Saraburi, and Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces, Thailand.
As the Dong Phaya ...
and
Sankamphaeng Range, namely
Khao Yai
Khao Yai National Park ( th, อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาใหญ่, , ) is a national park in Thailand. Established in 1962 as Thailand's first national park, it is the third largest national park in Thailand.
Descr ...
,
Thap Lan,
Pang Sida and
Ta Phraya National Parks, and
Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. The property was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2005.
Still, continued illegal
Siamese rosewood logging and ongoing road expansion risking encroachment within the reserve saw the World Heritage Committee warn of a potential downgrading of the complex to the “World Heritage in Danger List”.
At its 41st session in July 2017, the Committee commended Thailand for its efforts in ceasing the
illegal logging
Illegal logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws. The harvesting procedure itself may be illegal, including using corrupt means to gain access to forests; extraction without permission, or from a pro ...
and trade of Siamese rosewood, but noted several infrastructure projects that could negatively impact the site were still being considered. While the site remains on the World Heritage list, the Committee intends to reexamine the state's conservation efforts at its 44th session in 2020.
In March 2017, the world's second known breeding population of
Indochinese tigers was confirmed within the reserve.
References
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World Heritage Sites in Thailand
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