Western Forest Complex
The Western Forest Complex is a system of interconnected protected areas in western Thailand on the border with Myanmar . The twelve national parks and seven wildlife sanctuaries form one of the largest contiguous forest reserves in Southeast Asia with an area of 18,730 square kilometers. Two of the protected areas, the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary , were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. In addition to large animals such as elephants, tigers and saddleback tapirs, the area is home to 153 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds and numerous reptiles, amphibians and fish. The diverse landscape includes lowlands and mountains, the vegetation ranges from tropical rainforests to savannas.
Ecotourism in the complex is being marketed with support from development aid funds from the Czech government.
The following protected areas belong to the Western Forest Complex:
- Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary : Near the town of Kanchanaburi, the sanctuary is home to around 150 wild specimens of the Asian elephant .
- Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary : World natural heritage, numerous large animals, including tigers, black- backed tapirs , gaure , Bantengs , Asian wild dogs , Asian elephants (150 to 200 specimens) and the only herd of water buffalo in Thailand (24 to 40 specimens)
- Wildlife Sanctuary Thung Yai Naresuan : World Natural Heritage, comprises two protected areas ( east and west ); numerous large animal species
- Khao Sanampriang Wildlife Sanctuary (101 km²): Relatively small reserve near the Khlong Lan National Park.
- Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary : Large sanctuary that borders the Thung Yai Nature Reserve to the north
- Erawan National Park (550 km²)
- Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park (59 km²)
- Sai Yok National Park (500 km²)
- Khuean Srinagarindra National Park (Sri Nakharin) (1532 km²)
- Khlong Lan National Park
- Mae Wong National Park
- Phu Toei National Park
- Khlong Wang Chao National Park
- Khao Laem National Park (1497 km²)
- Thong Pha Pum National Park
- Lam Khlong Ngu National Park
The following protected areas are isolated from the northern reserve complex in the south of Thailand. However, they are connected through Myanmar via forest areas:
- Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary (500)
- Kaeng Krachan National Park (2915 km²): largest national park in Thailand; is home to 57 species of mammals
Web links
- Western Forest Complex
- Description of the Wildlife Sanctuaries Thung Yai Naresuan and Huai Kha Khaeng (Eng.)
- Map of the Protected Areas of the Western Forest Complex (excluding the isolated Kaeng Krachan National Park)
Individual evidence
- ^ About the Project , Western Forest Complex, accessed March 29, 2015.