Gov’t Intensifies Land, Forest Fires Mitigation Efforts, Bringing Down Hotspots to 688

The Government continues to strengthen forest and land fires mitigation in several parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan islands.

Data from Ministry of Forestry found that the number of high-confidence hotspots in five priority provinces fell to 688 spots, a decrease of 844 compared with the previous day. The number of hotspots in Central Kalimantan province declined from 968 to 228 spots, West Kalimantan province declined from 98 to 36 hotspots, South Sumatra province declined from 285 to 23 hotspots, Jambi from 26 to 2 hotspots, and Riau from 1 to 0 spot. On the other hand, the number of hotspots in South Kalimantan province increased from 39 to 71.

Ministry of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni and Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto observed mitigation measures in Central Kalimantan province, on Monday (09/21). In Pulang Pisau regency, they led an evaluation along with personnel of the regional government, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and related institutions to strengthen mitigation efforts and ensure that the fires are extinguished thoroughly

In the evaluation, ground task forces had successfully extinguished fires across approximately 150 hectares of the 180-hectare burned area, while around 30 hectares were still being handled. The Government also continues to optimize aerial and ground operations to accelerate the control of forest and land fires.

In addition, the Government is strengthening law enforcement measures against concession holders that fail to meet their obligations to prevent and control forest and land fires. The Minister of Forestry on Monday (09/21), announced the revocation of business licenses of five companies holding Forest Utilization Business Permits (PBPH) located in West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan provinces.

The five companies have combined concessions of about 92,464 hectares, while areas identified as burned within their concessions totaled 1,169 hectares. Their licenses are revoked because the companies allegedly neglected their obligations to protect their concession areas and fulfill the fire-control responsibilities required under their permits.

“This is part of the President’s directive, namely law enforcement must be impartial, not only targeting small actors, but also applied at higher levels,” the Minister said.

The Minister expressed hope that this action would provide deterrent impacts to all other companies under the Ministry of Forestry, so that they do not engage in or allow such practices to occur. (Public Relations of Ministry of Forestry /DND – Public Relations) of State Secretariat Ministry) (RAS/MMB)