Forestry Ministry Synergises with PBPH and KPH to Prevent Forest Fires in Jambi

The Ministry of Forestry is strengthening measures to prevent forest and land fires in Jambi through synergy with Forest Utilisation Business Permit holders and Forest Management Units in anticipation of potential fires during the dry season. According to a statement received in Jakarta on Monday, Head of the Sustainable Forest Management Centre Region IV of the Ministry of Forestry, Andi Rohaendi, said the synergy was forged during a Coordination Meeting on Forest and Land Fire Preparedness. The meeting implemented directives from President Prabowo Subianto to safeguard forest and environmental sustainability as a foundation for national development, and from Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni to strengthen the forest and land fire prevention and preparedness system across all regions of Indonesia. “Through this Zero Karhutla commitment, we hope all PBPH holders can consistently carry out their responsibilities to prevent forest and land fires in Jambi Province,” said Andi Rohaendi. He noted the coordination meeting was attended by PBPH holders and representatives of Forest Management Units in Jambi. The involvement of KPH is a crucial element as they play a strategic role as area managers in strengthening coordination, area monitoring, early detection, and initial response at the site level. On the occasion, the Head of the Sultan Thaha Jambi Class I Meteorological Station, Ibnu Sulistyono, conveyed that weather and climate information must be utilised as a basis for conducting patrols and enhancing field preparedness. Meanwhile, the Head of Emergency and Logistics at the Jambi Provincial Disaster Management Agency, Andre Eko Rinjani, stated that handling forest and land fires requires responsive, swift, precise, and integrated coordination, as well as support from all relevant elements. PBPH holders were also encouraged to ensure the readiness of their organisations, human resources, fire control facilities and infrastructure, communication systems, integrated patrols, and to strengthen coordination with KPH, local governments, communities, and other related parties. Furthermore, KPH are expected to further optimise their field monitoring functions, facilitate cross-party coordination, and support rapid response if hotspots or fire indications are detected in their managed areas. As a manifestation of their joint commitment, all PBPH holders in Jambi Province signed a Zero Karhutla Declaration, affirming their determination to prioritise prevention efforts, enhance preparedness, and strengthen collaboration to protect forest areas, the environment, communities, and the sustainability of forestry businesses.