A committee will be set up to protect the 15.3-million-rai western forest tract, which includes 17 protected areas in six provinces of Thailand.The decision was reached on Saturday at a meeting in Mae Sot. Those taking part included Santi Wongtaweepipat, chief of the Thungyai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary, people from the Huay Kha Khaeng and Umphang wildlife sanctuaries, Ratiya Chanthien, former chairwoman of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation, and provincial chiefs.