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 and
Sankamphaeng Range
The Sankamphaeng Range, also Sankambeng Range or Sungumpang Range ( th, ทิวเขาสันกำแพง, , ) is one of the mountain ranges separating eastern Thailand from the northeast or Isan. It is in Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa ...
, namely
Khao Yai,
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 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 tiger
The Indochinese tiger is a population of the '' Panthera tigris tigris'' subspecies that is native to Southeast Asia. This population occurs in Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. In 2011, the population was thought to comprise 342 individuals, includin ...
s was confirmed within the reserve.
References
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World Heritage Sites in Thailand
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