On 10 April 2012 Thailand's cabinet approved the 13 billion
baht Mae Wong Dam project in response to water shortages in the dry season and heavy floods in the wet season. Opponents of the project state that it will eliminate around 1,760 hectares (17.6 km2) of low-lying forest, and reduce the habitat for animals in the national park which covers 900 km2. In July 2012 a case was filed at Central Administrative Court, against
Yingluck Shinawatra, the cabinet, the director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, and the
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. On 22 September 2013 the
Bangkok Post said that in Bangkok "Thousands of supporters turned out on Sunday to welcome the environmental campaigner Sasin Chalermlap, who arrived in Bangkok after a 388 kilometre walk to protest plans to build a dam in Mae Wong National Park". Days later the Thai government announced that they will study a new alternative to the dam. During a November 2013 hearing, locals reportedly supported the project and asked the government to pursue it. On 23 September 2013, the
Minister of Science and Technology stated that construction of the dam will push forward. In September 2016, plans to build the dam were revived by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chatchai Sarikulya. The minister has been reportedly seeking an order under Section 44 of the
interim charter to press ahead with the project. ==Location==