Deforestation
In the past, forest cover in Thailand has been greatly reduced as people convert forested land for agriculture, such as slash-and-burn agriculture. For example, forest cover fell drastically from 53% in 1961 to 25% in 1998; and more rice fields and urban sprawls have been converted from what was originally wetlands. With a government measure in place to prohibit logging, deforestation rates have dropped. However, the impacts of deforestation, such as erosion, are still being felt.
Further, deforestation is creating other environmental problems as well. These problems include conversions to dry lands, sedimentation of rivers, and loss of natural habitats. In the fisheries sector, over-harvesting of marine fisheries has reduced fishing yields by 90 percent. Wetlands and mangroves in coastal areas have been seriously degraded by expansion of commercial fishing, shrimp aquaculture, industry and tourism, causing much of Thailand’s biodiversity losses.
Read more about this topic: Environmental Issues In Thailand