Kuala Kampar Residents Urge Sustainable Maintenance of Canal Barriers to Prevent Forest Fires

Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat inspected the construction of canal barriers on Mendol Island, Kuala Kampar, Pelalawan Regency, Riau. The central government’s initiative to build water control infrastructure was positively received by the local community.

Erwan, a 49-year-old resident of Sungai Perak Village, expressed his delight that the Kuala Kampar area had finally received government attention. He noted the region has often been left behind compared to other areas in Riau. “We are actually happier with this development because the government is paying attention to us, as our place is lagging behind. This is the oldest sub-district; it was opened before Pangkalan Kerinci and Kerinci. If it weren’t for here, those places wouldn’t exist. But here is the most underdeveloped,” Erwan said on Thursday (18/6/2026).

Erwan explained that the canal barriers are crucial for communities living in peatland areas. He recounted how his plantation had been destroyed several times by land fires. “I planted my garden four times. I planted this year, it burned. Next year I planted again. The following year it burned again, and the year after I planted again. Because we are strong, our spirit is strong, we kept planting, and finally it bore fruit,” he said.

While welcoming the canal barrier construction, Erwan hoped the project would not become merely a ceremonial activity. He urged the government to ensure maintenance and supervision after the construction is completed. He believes the presence of officers to guard and maintain the sluice gates is essential for the canal barriers to function optimally in the long term. “It’s good to have a sluice gate building like this, but the construction must be carried out. Later, there should also be guards and maintenance,” he said. “Sometimes these things are built and then left alone. Without maintenance, it’s as good as nothing. It’s just giving a breath of fresh air to the community, that’s all,” Erwan continued.

According to Erwan, the Kuala Kampar community is ready to support government programmes. This was demonstrated by the residents’ voluntary work to help build the canal barriers the previous day. “We are most happy when there is construction; we support it. Look at us, we stopped our activities for a day and a night, the whole community here helped. We helped without any cost; we contributed,” he said.

He explained that the canal barriers function as a water management system vital for the productivity of the residents’ coconut and rubber plantations. Previously, open canals without barriers caused water from the peat dome to flow rapidly into the sea. As a result, the land became dry during the dry season and flooded during the rainy season. With the canal barriers, the groundwater level can be maintained, preserving soil moisture and reducing fire risk. “Here, during the rainy season, it gets inundated, submerged, flooded. So if there is a canal, the government will later clean it, making our area better, the coconuts will become good,” he said.

Similar concerns were voiced by another resident, Kasogi. He hoped the canal barrier construction would not stop after the officials’ visit ended. “Please, in the future, regarding this canal, if you gentlemen are not present, if the Minister is not present, maybe this activity will stop. When you go home, today it will stop. This is the reality,” Kasogi said. He hoped the canal barrier construction would be expanded because many ditches in Kuala Kampar require similar treatment to prevent the peatland from drying out.

Kasogi also highlighted the sustainability of the Fire Care Community (MPA). He said the group has not received adequate support, either in terms of budget or firefighting equipment. “Because firstly, we have no equipment, Sir. Especially firefighting equipment. When there is a land fire, we only use pesticide tanks (pest sprayers), Sir. We use pesticide tanks to extinguish fires. Now, this is quite inadequate,” he said. Kasogi explained that the peatland condition in Kuala Kampar is highly susceptible to burning. If rain does not fall for a month, the water level drops drastically and the land becomes extremely dry. “Our hope, Sir, if possible, please help the Fire Care Community. Because when the MPA receives adequate facilities, infrastructure, and budget, I believe the fire problem will not become a major issue, Sir,” he concluded.

Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat conducted a working visit to Kuala Kampar to inspect the canal barrier construction, which is part of efforts to prevent forest and land fires in peatland areas. Due to limited access and the absence of four-wheeled vehicles on Mendol Island, the entourage used residents’ motorcycles to travel to Sungai Perak Village, the construction site. The journey covered approximately 4.2 kilometres across the island road. After reaching the end point for vehicles, the group still had to walk about 200 metres to reach the site.

Jumhur explained that canal barriers are essential infrastructure for maintaining the groundwater level in peatland areas. Keeping the peat wet reduces the potential for fires. “We have peatlands in various regions across the country, that is a fact. Peatland, if it is not continuously inundated while being constantly exposed to sunlight, has the potential to become hot and catch fire, that is a fact,” Jumhur said. “So, the disaster of burning land is essentially a natural disaster. However, it can be managed, especially if we can ensure there is always water inundating it,” he continued. Jumhur noted the canal barriers being built are approximately t