Bangkok--7 Jul--TQPR
Commuters riding the Bangkok Transit System (BTS) are being urged to consider how their lives depend on nature through a new campaign launched by the FREELAND Foundation with the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN), Government of Thailand, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
A rolling billboard — a BTS Skytrain — is urging the system’s 700,000 riders daily to take their “Piece of Responsibility” to prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal logging. The train’s exterior features a jigsaw puzzle depicting a jungle with a man and a woman as one of its pieces. Interior posters describe how animals help maintain the world’s ecological balance and how illegal wildlife trade and illicit logging is upsetting this balance.
“Raising the public’s awareness about our impact on the environment is vital, particularly in Bangkok which has been used as a major trans-shipment point for illegal wildlife trade for many years,” said Olivier Carduner, USAID/Asia’s Regional Mission Director. “Purchasing products made from endangered species, such as carved ivory and tiger skin, pushes them closer to extinction. Buying products made from illegally harvested timber destroys habitats and contributes to global warming.”
The new train made its debut today at the BTS depot near Chatuchak market, a hotspot for illegal wildlife trade.
“Consumer demand in Asia and elsewhere is driving illegal logging, poaching and trafficking of endangered species,” said Steve Galster, FREELAND’s executive director. “Too few people understand how this trade is destroying natural ecosystems and pushing species towards extinction.”
The “Piece of Responsibility” campaign is supported by USAID, ASEAN-WEN, Royal Thai Customs, Royal Thai Police, and Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The campaign was created by JWT Thailand.
FREELAND, which is supported by USAID, provides training, public awareness and other capacity building support to help stop illegal wildlife trade.
Photo caption 1: (From left) Mr.Adisorn Noochdumrong, CITES Management Authority of Thailand, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Mr.Marut Arthakaivalvatee, Chief Executive Office, VGI Global Media Company Limited, Mr.Pimuk Simaroj, Advisor to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr.Steven Galster, Director, FREELAND Foundation, Dr.Chumphom Sukkasaem, Senior Advisor, ASEAN-WEN Program Coordination Unit, Pol.Lt.Col.Thanayod Kengkasikij, Deputy Superintendent, Sub-division 2, Natural Resources Environmental Crime Division, Mr.Naris Jynongbua, Customs Technical Officer, Professional Level, Investigation and Suppression Bureau, Thai Customs Department and Mr. Harry Lipper, Communications Specialist, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) with a “Piece of Responsibility” campaign on BTS Skytrain
Photo caption 2: Mr.Steven Galster, Director, FREELAND Foundation and Mr.Pimuk Simaroj, Advisor to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment with a “Piece of Responsibility” campaign on BTS Skytrain.