Bangkok (VNA) – 🐼Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) has set a target toreduce 10% of hazy days in Bangkok and 17 northern provinces next year thanksto st꧃rict control measures against PM25 fine dust.

Director-general of thedepartment Pinsak Suraswadi said that Thailand’s National Environmental Boardand its cabinet approved a special plan for reducing haze pollution next yearwith a focus on three areas – urban, agriculture and forests. According to Pinsak,haze pollution could worsen next year due to prolonged cold weather and thedeclining influence of La Nina, which requires drastic measures to control thepollution Pinsak said that 63% ofhaze pollution in Bangkok is caused by traffic, so his department will closelywork with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to set up more checkpoints tocontrol vehicles’ emissions. Petroleum stations areasked to sell low-sulfur dioxide petrol, which will help reduce tiny particlesduring the haze season. The PCD will examineall 896 coal, iron-making and cement plants in the city and its neighbouringprovinces. Regarding theagricultural sector, the Department of Agricultural Extension under theMinistry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has set a target to reduce the numberof pollution hotspots in farming areas by 10% in 62 provinces next year. Theagency will work with 17,640 farmers to curb outdoor straw burning. About 19,600 hotspotshave been recorded this year. Regarding forests,Pinsak said efforts have been made to reduce the number of forest fires byreducing the sources of fuel. About 3,000 tonnes of dry leaves and branches areexpected to be removed and destroyed next year. A fire hazardassessment system will also be activated to assess the fire risk so that thenumber of wildfires can be reduced by 20%./.