Fires destroy hundreds of hectares

JAMBI: Hundreds of hectares of plantations in Jambi province, including palm oil plantation, had been burned since early June this year, causing huge monetary losses for local residents and plantation companies working in the area.

Frans Tandipau, an official at the Jambi provincial forestry office, said that the widespread burning was caused by human neglect, the dry season and shifting cultivation.

He said on Thursday that fires had burned plantations in 52 locations, including Muarojambi, Batanghari and Bungo regencies. -- JP