Sumatran forest-fire prevention team briefed<\/p>\n
PEKANBARU, Riau (JP): The Ministry of Forestry urged its
\nofficials in Sumatra to take preventive measures to reduce the
\nrisk of forest fires, which tend to break out on the island
\nduring the dry season.<\/p>\n
"1996 is expected to be a forest-fire prone year. We need to
\nstep up our vigilance," Soemarsono, the Director General for
\nForest Protection and Nature Conservation, said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
"The impact of the forest fire in Sumatra could transcend
\nnational borders that it requires serious handling," Soemarsono
\ntold a meeting of an inter-departmental team which was also
\nattended by State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja.<\/p>\n
"Preventing forest fires is more important than containing
\nthem. Your working program should emphasize the prevention
\naspect," he added.<\/p>\n
Some 6,437 hectares of forests and 3,880 hectares of
\nplantation sites were razed during last year's dry season.<\/p>\n
The hazard remains a major concern of the government, despite
\nthe progress that has been made since last year in controlling
\nthe outbreak of fires.<\/p>\n
In 1994, out-of-control forest fires sent waves of thick black
\nsmoke over neighboring Singapore and Malaysia, posing major
\nhealth hazards to people there as well as Sumatra and Kalimantan.
\nGovernment figures show that 178,193 hectares of forests were
\nrazed in 1994.<\/p>\n
Quoting officials at the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency in
\nJakarta, Soemarsono said the dry season outside of Java is likely
\nto start in May. "We have to make the necessary preparations to
\nanticipate them (forest fires) early."<\/p>\n
Soemarsono also heads the National Coordination Team for the
\nPrevention of Forest Fires which groups officials from various
\nrelated government agencies, including the Environmental Impact
\nManagement Agency (Bapedal).<\/p>\n
Minister Sarwono, who also chairs Bapedal, said that most
\nforest fires are caused by the reckless exploitation of forestry
\nresources.<\/p>\n
Forest concession holders, he said, tend to choose the easiest
\nmethod for clearing forests, which they accomplish by setting
\nfire to piles of logs and brush.<\/p>\n
This irresponsible practice, he said, is also widely used to
\nclear forestry areas for settlements and industrial sites.<\/p>\n
"They could have used the chips as raw materials for pulp and
\nplywood," he said.<\/p>\n
He said Indonesia is still studying modern forest management
\ntechnologies which help optimize forestry resources while
\nconserving them at the same time.<\/p>\n
He said compost, for example, is found in abundance on timber
\nestates and should be used as organic fertilizer.<\/p>\n
"Plantation sites in Sumatra have to import 300,000 tons of
\norganic fertilizer each year, when compost could be used for that
\npurpose," the minister said.<\/p>\n
Sarwono said that some locals are also to blame for the forest
\nfires because many still practice slash and burn farming. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sumatran-forest-fire-prevention-team-briefed-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}