Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2014 The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has\nidentified 44 forest-conversion and plantation areas affected by fires\nin South Sumatra, based on spatial mapping data reconciled with data\nfrom the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning\/National Land\nAgency (ATR\/BPN).<\/p>\n
BNPB chief Kristomei Sianturi said in a statement in Jakarta on\nMonday that the burned areas included oil palm plantations, industrial\ntimber estates (HTI), Forest Management Units (KPH) and protected\nforests. Most hotspots were found near the boundaries of conversion\npermits, suggesting possible deliberate land clearing or expansion.<\/p>\n
In response, BNPB urged law enforcement authorities to investigate\nthose responsible for the fires, whether individuals or companies. Firm\nenforcement is considered crucial to deter future offences and ensure\nthat firefighting efforts on the ground are not rendered pointless.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur hard work over all this time is pointless if firefighting\nefforts are not coordinated. One person tries to put out a fire while\nanother lights one \u2014 then it flares up again,\u201d Kristomei said.<\/p>\n
He said forest and land fires could not be handled in isolation, but\nrequired close cooperation among ministries, agencies and local\ngovernments, as well as coordination between central and regional\nprogrammes.<\/p>\n
In addition to law enforcement, BNPB called for the Peatland and\nMangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) to give sustained attention to\ndeveloping permanent solutions for peatland ecosystems. These could\ninclude building or optimising canal systems to maintain moisture and\nwet the deeper layers of peat soil in the six priority provinces: Riau,\nJambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South\nKalimantan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to work together; no one can do this alone. There must be\ncollaboration among ministries and agencies, as well as local\ngovernments, and coordination between the central and regional levels,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He said thousands of joint personnel and a fleet of helicopters were\ncontinuing to work effectively to extinguish the fires. However, regular\nreviews are also important to ensure that the deployment of personnel\nand equipment on the ground is matched by a reduction in the number of\nhotspots.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bnpb-44-forest-conversion-areas-burned-calls-for-tough-law-enforcement-1792385520", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }