Dead & Dangerous Rain Trees

Dead & Dangerous Bombax

Thriving Native Trees beside the drain

June 4th 2013 was World Environment Day and the Chiang Mai Mail reported that the Mayor had led students to plant the yellow Cassia fistula in the city’s parks.

So we went to Railway Park to see the result.

But first WARNING KILLER TREES.  Running and playing in this park could end your life.

As could falling in the polluted drain covered by green weed.

While in this negative theme please note the new high wall erected as if to contain Princess Sirindhorn who has a residence on the Irrigation Department site north of the park.

In the foreground, for the optimists, surviving trees from the community planting 3 years earlier, and the following pic shows an area recently cleared of debris.

And now to the planting.  The trees were not the Golden Shower, Cassia fistula but but even more Flame of the forest Butea monosperma. Further just as at CMU one species in straight line formation.

Apparently the obsession with red flowers continues as last year the exotic Pradoo Daeng was planted. Perhaps we need a new name so how about Parco Ernesto che Guevara ?

New Princess Proof Fence

3 year old Native Trees and newly planted Flame Trees

Carribean tree in honor of che Guevara

No doubt some have been wondering why some of the Red Songtaews in Chiang Mai show the letters CMU and what they mean? .. Well to digress for a moment:

When I first attended university in 1963 – yes 50 years ago, I and my classmates found it a liberating experience.

Well the ancient nursery rhyme begins “Here we go gathering nuts in May” .. on a cold and frosty morning.

Well May in Chiang Mai is hardly frosty but the early morning cool and maybe a light shower of rain make gathering seeds a pleasant task.

May 22nd 2013 saw a one day meeting of Chiang Mai folk on a Vision for Chiang Mai. (Mostly folk not invited to the big meeting at the new Convention & Exhibition Center)

The Meeting was held as part of a national consultation process for a bill on local government powers attended by around 60 Chiang Mai residents included one foreign national.

It appears the second Asia Pacific Water Summit now under way in  ChiangMai’s newest extravagant building project and scheduled to end on 20th May 2013 is already creating controversy with government officials asserting that no protests will be allowed and when one considers criticisms of water management in the pages of OurChiangMai.com one might wonder if internet censorship of the site is in the offing?

Around 50 km to the East of Chiang Mai city, high up in the evergreen montane forest is the  Mae Lai Forest , which Shane Beary accurately describes as “a fantastic  habitat.  See:  http://www.pang-soong-lodge.com/ “

Shane writes:

During 2011, Khun Nopwanchai of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry took folk on tours in an around the Old City.

He pointed out that the 5 remaining Teak trees along the road outside the northern leg of the moat, had been planted by command of the last King of Chiang Mai.

Although they mostly were infected with parasitic mistletoe and 2 had figs growing on them, they were still large trees and clearly recognizable as Teak.

That is no longer the case as they have been heavily cut.

As well a large Rain Tree nearby is presently being vandalised by official order.

Who is the criminal giving these orders to destroy the Heritage of Chiang Mai ? Is it the same person who has seen only asphalt surrounding the municipal office and planted not one tree there?

Is is perhaps somebody from the Roads Department which plants trees only to ensure they provide no shade?

Or perhaps Electricity Supply, the folk who destroyed the beautiful big, native, ancient trees along the road to Pai.

Who ever it may be rest assured he worships the nation’s tree loving sovereign and prominently displays his portrait to show loyalty.

 
Warning:

Usually early March is no time for vigorous exercise in Chiang Mai, and yesterday  Sunday 3rd March 2013 was no exception with a top temperature of 36.1 C and smoke haze at unhealthy levels.

While the Bangkok Post and local sites report extra security at the U.S. Consulate premises in Chiang Mai, they fail to report that measures are being taken at secret facilities run by the U.S.A. in the city.

A heightened is also noticeable at this mansion house in Nimmanhaemin Rd.