Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Forest Entrepreneurs Association\n(APHI) has stated that its members, who hold Forest Area Utilisation\nBusiness Licences (PBPH), have implemented preparedness and control\nmeasures for forest and land fires (karhutla) within their respective\nworking areas.<\/p>\n
APHI General Chairman Soewarso stated that these measures include\npatrols, hot spot monitoring, early detection, personnel and equipment\nreadiness, field inspections, and rapid response capabilities upon\ndetecting fire indications. \u201cPBPH holders are not merely preparing to\nsupport, but have already implemented standard operating procedures\n(SOP) for forest and land fire preparedness and control,\u201d he said in a\nstatement received in Jakarta on Friday.<\/p>\n
APHI members are also undertaking prevention efforts through\ncommunity education and collaboration with various stakeholders in fire\ncontrol, he added. Prevention efforts also include educating the public\non the dangers and impacts of forest fires, fostering Fire Care\nCommunities (Masyarakat Peduli Api), and increasing awareness to ensure\nthat land clearing and management are not conducted through burning.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, requested all\nPBPH holders to increase preparedness and participate actively in the\nprevention and control of forest and land fires, particularly in facing\nthe peak of extreme weather in September 2026. Increased preparedness is\nnecessary to protect PBPH working areas, forest zones, communities, and\nair quality from the impacts of forest fires.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Forestry is also strengthening coordination with\nlocal governments, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), Polri\n(National Police), Manggala Agni, Fire Care Communities, the business\nworld, and other stakeholders. \u201cEvaluation results throughout August\nshow an improving trend in handling across several regions,\u201d Raja Juli\nAntoni said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (1\/9).<\/p>\n
Despite showing positive progress, the Minister of Forestry warned\nall parties not to become complacent. September is a crucial period,\nmeaning vigilance, readiness of personnel and equipment, early\ndetection, and firefighting coordination must continue to be\nstrengthened.<\/p>\n
Responding to this, Soewarlo emphasised that APHI members continue to\nstrengthen their support for government directives, including through\nthe application of standard operating procedures (SOP) for forest and\nland fire preparedness and control in their respective working areas.\nAccording to Soewarso, the implementation of these SOPs is being\ncontinuously reinforced through coordination with the Ministry of\nForestry, local governments, TNI, Polri, Manggala Agni, Fire Care\nCommunities, and other stakeholders at the ground level.<\/p>\n
APHI has also issued a circular to all members to increase vigilance,\nensure resource readiness, and optimise all anticipatory and mitigation\nsteps regarding forest fires. \u201cThe circular reinforces the steps already\ntaken by members. We request all PBPH holders to continue increasing\npatrols, early detection, personnel and infrastructure readiness,\ncommunity education, and coordination with all parties,\u201d said\nSoewarso.<\/p>\n
APHI members are also encouraged to support one another and work\ncollectively, including assisting in fire management outside of\nconcession areas as required and in coordination with the government, he\nsaid. \u201cA landscape-based approach is necessary because fire and smoke do\nnot recognise administrative or company working area boundaries,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
APHI is also strengthening cooperation with the Indonesian Palm Oil\nAssociation (GAPKI) to support cross-sector coordination in the\nprevention and control of forest and land fires. This collaboration is\ndirected towards information exchange, increasing the readiness of\npersonnel and equipment, supporting firefighting both within and outside\nconcession areas, and educating the community while maintaining\ncoordination with the government and relevant stakeholders.<\/p>\n
According to him, collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry,\nAPHl, PBPH, security forces, local governments, and the community is\nexpected to strengthen the implementation of SOPs at the ground level,\naccelerate the handling of every hot spot, and protect forests and\ncommunities during the peak period of forest fire vulnerability.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aphi-states-forest-concession-holders-are-implementing-forest-and-land-fire-preparedness-1788483558", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }