Ministry of Forestry: PBPH holders must take extra measures to tackle forest and land fires
The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has required holders of Forest Utilisation Business Permits (PBPH) to take extra measures in controlling and preventing forest and land fires (karhutla) given the potential for extreme weather due to El Nino.
According to a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, Director General of Sustainable Forest Management (PHL) at the Forestry Ministry Laksmi Wijayanti said the extreme El Nino weather conditions in 2026 and 2027 mean all PBPH holders must not carry out ordinary forest fire control.
“Extreme weather conditions mean the obligation to secure each concession area must be extraordinary and exceptional. Carrying out business as usual will actually be seen as negligence because there is no visible urgency to handle the crisis,” said Laksmi.
While leading the Coordination Meeting on Performance Evaluation of Forest Fire Control Response in PBPH Areas in Jakarta on Monday (24/8), Laksmi said the measure of PBPH compliance includes readiness of infrastructure, resources and early detection systems, proactive attitude in prevention and reporting, quality of mobilisation and rapid response when fires occur.
In addition, it also includes the level of collaboration and contribution in cooperation with various parties as well as the performance and quality of handling results.
“Permit holders and area managers must be at the forefront when hotspots are detected. Their presence and performance must be proven, not just good in report documents. The evaluation is currently underway, and rapid and real responses to every form of instruction, input and reprimand to all permit holders will be an indicator in enforcing compliance,” said Laksmi.
On that occasion, the initial evaluation results on compliance with forest fire control preparedness reporting in PBPH areas were presented, showing that around 10 percent of PBPH holders still need to improve the orderliness of their preparedness reporting.
Laksmi in the meeting asked permit holders to open themselves up, actively utilise information, and collaborate with each other. Openness and an active attitude showing presence on the ground must continue to be widely publicised so that various stakeholders and the public have easy access to information for integrated steps and participation opportunities, especially if the area is at high risk.
The Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires (APHI) on that occasion conveyed the association’s commitment to encourage cooperation among PBPH holders, including through a scheme for sharing firefighting equipment. The collaboration is expected to accelerate resource mobilisation when fires occur.
It was conveyed that so far, PBPH holders and APHI have provided support in handling forest fires through the mobilisation of heavy equipment for creating firebreaks and firefighting access, helicopter water bombing support, operational vehicles, as well as the deployment of field personnel and Fire Fighting Teams (RPK).
The Forestry Ministry welcomed the contribution and encouraged cooperation among PBPH holders to continue to be strengthened and become part of sustainable forest fire control.