| Resources desperately needed for our precious herd have to be
diverted to pay for the initial construction of a river wall.
The choices were stark. Leave it and hope for the best or build
a river wall to contain the surging water levels. Engineers
confirmed that the 'do nothing' option will cause extensive
loss and long term damage of park land. 'The whole park could be
underwater as rains continue' said senior park staff.
Villagers diverted the natural flow of the water by constructing
a huge dam at the opposite river bank. Heavy plant machinery and
industrial diggers were used to move massive amounts of earth
which were mixed with shale and fencing to create the barrier
that threatens our land. The natural flow of the river was
diverted into a man-made channel to create an artificial path
for surging water volume. The natural wide-curving river bends
were changsd to a sharp angle which causes a bottleneck. The
power of rushing water violently clambering into the channel
washes away the river bank. Giant ancient trees are swept away
like twigs as the river bank collapses. Steep mud cliffs
supersede gentle sloping banks as land crumbles and follows the
river flow. Metorological reports indicate a much higher
rainfall
Protests to concerned officials were not answered in time to
save land lost to the surging river levels and, ironically,
similar requests to shore up our own defenses were still pending
permission.
The monsoon season has just started and will last another six
months. Heavy, prolonged rains anywhere upstream will cause
massive damage unless our riverwall wall can be completed in
time to counter expected the rush of water.
How you can help
We are in the initial stages of building the wall and are using
whatever materials and expertise that we can afford.
Please help
us by visiting our online store and buying whatever you can or contact
us at
elephantnaturepark@thaifocus.com
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The whole park could be underwater as rains continue
