The Lembang Forest Management Unit (BKPH) has stated that it is still\nawaiting official instructions from the North Bandung Forest Management\nUnit (KPH) regarding the implementation of a circular issued by West\nJava Governor Dedi Mulyadi. The circular contains instructions to close\nactivities in forest areas in order to anticipate the risk of fires\nduring the dry season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are still waiting for instructions from our superiors regarding\nthe circular issued by the Governor,\u201d said Head of BKPH Lembang, Cucu\nSupriatna, on Monday (31\/8).<\/p>\n
In the letter addressed to the Regional Head of Perhutani West Java\nand Banten, the Head of the West Java Natural Resources Conservation\nAgency (BBKSDA), as well as regents and mayors, the Governor emphasised\nthat hiking activities are one of the main triggers of forest fires amid\nthe natural vulnerability during the dry season.<\/p>\n
The Governor has requested relevant parties to prohibit all mountain\nor forest hiking activities in the West Java region, as well as other\nactivities that risk triggering fire disasters. In addition to physical\nrestrictions, the letter also instructs the implementation of public\nawareness campaigns, education for communities living near forests, and\nrapid mitigative coordination with local governments.<\/p>\n
Responding to the policy, Cucu explained that his office has\nincreased patrol and surveillance intensity in the Lembang, Parongpong,\nand Cisarua areas since the start of the dry season. Prevention efforts\nare being carried out regularly to minimise potential fire hotspots.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegular forest fire surveillance and prevention efforts are\ncurrently ongoing and will continue,\u201d Cucu stressed.<\/p>\n
In addition to patrols, BKPH Lembang also routinely provides\neducation to communities active around forest areas so that they do not\nengage in actions that could ignite fires. Warning signs have also been\ninstalled with the involvement of the Cimahi Police, the Forest Village\nCommunity Institution (LMDH), forest police, sub-district leadership\nforums, and tourism site managers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also maintain communication with various parties to increase\nvigilance. Every person or group entering forest areas is always given\nawareness briefings so that they do not do anything that could cause a\nfire,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Regarding the existence of tourist sites within forest areas, Cucu\nassessed that activities in these areas are relatively easier to\ncontrol. This is because there are official managers responsible for\ndirectly monitoring the security of the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many camping tourism sites, but they are more controlled\nat tourist locations because they are better monitored and the security\nof the tourism area is guaranteed,\u201d Cucu concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/forest-activities-in-west-java-to-be-tightened-to-prevent-land-and-forest-fires-1788177060", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }