Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
Khao Yai National Park is bracing itself for possibly the worst drought in five decades with consumption of underground water by tourism businesses aggravating the situation.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about the problematic issue.
Krit Sumungsa, chairman of the Khao Yai Lover Network, said many water sources in the mountains at the world heritage park are drying up.
THIRSTY ANIMALS
Water is becoming scarce for wildlife, prompting volunteers to find alternative water sources for them. “We’ve never had to do this before. We could say it’s something unusual. It might be the worst drought in 50 years,” Krit said.
Park chief Kanchit Srinoppawan said staff will undertake a survey of natural water sources at risk of running out. However, he believed there is enough water for wild animals, although there is generally less in natural sources at the park compared to last year.
THIRSTY TOURISTS
Environmental activists are concerned tourist accommodation near the park has continued to pump underground water for use.
There are around 21 water springs in the park feeding the Lam Takong River, a major supplier of water in Nakhon Ratchasima. Some springs are now dry, threatening to reduce the volume of water in the river.
The network will ask local administration organisations and tourism businesses to talk about the possibility of controlling the use of underground water. It said water use has been poorly regulated, which poses a risk to the park's ecology.
OVERUSE UNDERGROUND
An academic report has warned communities near the park of soil subsidence due to excessive use of underground water.
The tourism boom at the park has led to the expansion of real estate and lodging businesses which require a massive water supply. A water park, reputed to be the largest in the Northeast, has opened recently near Khao Yai.
Exercises
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices that follow.
| …… 1. subsidence | a. connected with education, especially studying in schools and universities |
| …… 2. wildlife | b. the process by which an area of land sinks to a lower level than normal, or by which a building sinks into the ground |
| …… 3. accommodation | c. animals, birds, insects, etc. that are wild and live in a natural environment |
| …… 4. academic | d. a place to live, work or stay in |
Vocabulary
- drought (n): a long period of time when there is little or no rain
alternative (adj): that can be used instead of something else
ecology (n): the relation of plants and living creatures to each other and to their environment
excessive (adj): greater than what seems reasonable or appropriate
