Time to probe forest burning<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
Of the 115 hot spots detected by satellite imaging, estate
\ncompanies and timber plantations were responsible for starting
\nnearly all of these fires. Only a small portion were attributed
\nto those people preparing land for transmigration.<\/p>\n
It is estimated that forest burning has affected about one
\nmillion hectares of land, with the smoke spreading from Southeast
\nAsia to the Pacific and causing both ecological and sociological
\ndamage.<\/p>\n
The naming of companies responsible for the fires, by the
\nforestry minister, came too late in the opinion of the central
\nboard of the Indonesian Environmental Development Agency (BLHI).<\/p>\n
Forest burning to effect land clearing for timber estates and
\nproperty companies has reached its optimum. In other words, the
\nactivities of the corporations involved are nearly finished and
\nonly now does the warning come.<\/p>\n
If there had been consistency in preventing forest fires, the
\nforestry ministry should have done it from the beginning. The
\nperson responsible for the prevention of this activity is the
\ndirector general of forest exploitation.<\/p>\n
The director general, through his regional offices, certainly
\nknows the design for forest exploitation throughout Indonesia. It
\nis common knowledge that timber estates routinely use fire to
\nclear land because it is the cheapest method.<\/p>\n
If the director general of forest exploitation had explicitly
\nbanned forest burning it would not have occurred.<\/p>\n
Forest burning continues to take place because the director
\ngeneral acted as if he did not know. The question is: Is there
\nany collusion behind forest burning?<\/p>\n
The conventional method of clearing timber estates
\ninvolves a lot of money. By burning there is no cost. It is here
\nthat there is an opportunity for collusion in forest burning.<\/p>\n
It has disgraced Indonesia, so much so that President Soeharto
\nwas compelled to apologize to Malaysia, Singapore and other
\ncountries which are suffering the effects of fires in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The attorney general should investigate the matter to prevent
\na reoccurrence, paying special attention to possible collusion.<\/p>\n
The directorate general of forest exploitation, which is
\nprimarily responsible for the management of forest exploitation,
\nis the best placed for the pertaining information.<\/p>\n
AGUS MIFTACH<\/p>\n
BLHI Chairman<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/time-to-probe-forest-burning-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }