Bangkok, The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has raised measures to combat PM 2.5 dust, banning burning, and preparing for the smog situation from forest fires in the northern region. Ms. Preeyaporn Suwannakes, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department (PDC), revealed that at the meeting of the Subcommittee for Managing Air Pollution Problems No. 1/2024, which Mr. Chatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ( TAT) is the chairman of the sub-committee for managing air pollution problems. He brought the Prime Minister's orders to the Cabinet meeting and the concerns of Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister. and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chairman of the Air Pollution Management Committee for Sustainability Emphasized at the meeting with all provinces and all agencies to work proactively. Control every source, every area, including forest areas. Agricultural areas and other areas To meet the goal and t aking care of public health To be safe Miss Preeyaporn said The meeting jointly considered the results of operations according to measures to solve the PM2.5 dust problem in 2024 in urban areas, forest areas, and agricultural areas. of all related agencies Many hot spots are still found in agricultural areas (rice fields, sugarcane, corn) and have begun to shift to forest areas, causing the PM2.5 problem to continue since the end of January. In addition, it is also affected by meteorological conditions that are not conducive to ventilation and cross-border smog. From today onwards All agencies must step up their operations to be more intense. Every province must issue announcements to control and prohibit burning. and strictly enforce the law When burning occurs in the area, immediate action must be taken. Especially the northeastern and northern regions must be especially careful. and must communicate and publicize Press conference to inform citizens of the situation. Have an understanding of government op erations and behave correctly according to the dust situation The meeting considered proactive measures. that will be used to solve problems, such as linking farmers who do not burn in their agricultural land with government benefits Trade measures for agricultural products imported from neighboring countries that involve burning Stipulating as a condition of the license that the factory must not accept burnt sugar cane Support for purchasing fresh sugar cane leaves for biomass power plants. The meeting also jointly considered contingency plans for responding in the event of more severe situations. and criteria for declaring areas to provide emergency assistance to victims of disasters In order to take care of public health The results of this meeting It will be presented to the Committee for Managing Air Pollution for Sustainability, the National Environment Board and the Cabinet. next For the upcoming important festival is the Chinese New Year tradition Where there will be traditional offerings, the Perma nent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has instructed local agencies to advise, campaign and ask for cooperation from the people in continuing the tradition in an environmentally friendly manner with minimal PM2.5 generation in order to protect public health. Source: Thai News Agency