Forest Activities in West Java to Be Tightened to Prevent Land and Forest Fires
The Lembang Forest Management Unit (BKPH) has stated that it is still awaiting official instructions from the North Bandung Forest Management Unit (KPH) regarding the implementation of a circular issued by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi. The circular contains instructions to close activities in forest areas in order to anticipate the risk of fires during the dry season.
“We are still waiting for instructions from our superiors regarding the circular issued by the Governor,” said Head of BKPH Lembang, Cucu Supriatna, on Monday (31/8).
In the letter addressed to the Regional Head of Perhutani West Java and Banten, the Head of the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), as well as regents and mayors, the Governor emphasised that hiking activities are one of the main triggers of forest fires amid the natural vulnerability during the dry season.
The Governor has requested relevant parties to prohibit all mountain or forest hiking activities in the West Java region, as well as other activities that risk triggering fire disasters. In addition to physical restrictions, the letter also instructs the implementation of public awareness campaigns, education for communities living near forests, and rapid mitigative coordination with local governments.
Responding to the policy, Cucu explained that his office has increased patrol and surveillance intensity in the Lembang, Parongpong, and Cisarua areas since the start of the dry season. Prevention efforts are being carried out regularly to minimise potential fire hotspots.
“Regular forest fire surveillance and prevention efforts are currently ongoing and will continue,” Cucu stressed.
In addition to patrols, BKPH Lembang also routinely provides education to communities active around forest areas so that they do not engage in actions that could ignite fires. Warning signs have also been installed with the involvement of the Cimahi Police, the Forest Village Community Institution (LMDH), forest police, sub-district leadership forums, and tourism site managers.
“We also maintain communication with various parties to increase vigilance. Every person or group entering forest areas is always given awareness briefings so that they do not do anything that could cause a fire,” he added.
Regarding the existence of tourist sites within forest areas, Cucu assessed that activities in these areas are relatively easier to control. This is because there are official managers responsible for directly monitoring the security of the area.
“There are many camping tourism sites, but they are more controlled at tourist locations because they are better monitored and the security of the tourism area is guaranteed,” Cucu concluded.