A local conservation group in Thailand’s northeast has urged the military and local authorities to reconsider plans to dredge a local swamp crucial for local farmers.

On 2 March 2017, 20 members of a local environmental conservation group in Nong Phai Subdistrict of Mueang District, Udon Thani Province submitted a letter to the Department of Water Resources and the 24th Military Circle.

The group demanded that the authorities reconsider their plans to dredge Nong Na Tan, a local swamp, which local villagers use for agriculture.

“The villagers are concerned that the plan is for the area’s growing industrial zone, which they oppose,” said Bunloet Lekkhiao, who led the group.

The letter argued that locals should be consulted, adding the decision should be based on the benefits to the local community.

He said that the villagers do not want to engage in a battle with factories for water resources, as happened in Map Ta Phut Industrial Zone in the eastern province of Rayong.

Santiphon Nimkingrat, Director of the Department of Water Resources Region 3, said that the plan has already been approved by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister. However, Maj Gen Amnuai Chunnonyang, the Commander of the 24th Military Circle, said the military will look into the matter.

Bunloet Lekkhiao (right) hands a letter from a local environmental conservation group in Nong Phai Subdistrict of Udon Thani to the Commander of the 24th Military Circle on 2 March 2017