Observer: Wildlife protection during forest fires needs stronger regulation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public policy observer Trubus Rahadiansyah believes that efforts to protect wildlife amidst the threat of forest and land fires (karhutla) need to be strengthened through the existence of relevant regulations.

According to Trubrass, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s attention to the condition of wildlife, demonstrated through his visit to an orangutan rehabilitation centre in Central Kalimantan, could serve as a momentum to strengthen government policies regarding environmental management and wildlife protection.

“Essentially, the Vice President must be able to issue policies. After visiting wildlife, we need policies for force majeure situations; SOPs must be firm, technical regulations must exist, and it must be clear who is responsible and who carries out the handling,” said the Professor of Sociology of Law at the Faculty of Law, Trisakti University, as quoted in Jakarta on Monday.

Trubus hopes that the Vice President’s attention can result in clarity regarding Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), technical rules, and the division of responsibilities between agencies in handling wildlife during disasters.

“We hope Gibran can take a further step towards more comprehensive handling of the environment and wildlife,” said Trubus.

Trubus also believes that forest fires, which occur almost every year, require clear and firm rules so that wildlife protection mechanisms are not only discussed after a crisis has occurred.

He stated that the central government needs to take a direct role, including ensuring mechanisms for the rescue and relocation of wildlife to safer locations.

He hopes that Vice President Gibran’s attention to the condition of wildlife does not stop at the moment of the visit, but serves as an entry point for strengthening wildlife protection regulations, particularly in facing emergency conditions caused by forest fires.

The visit was part of a series of inspections by the Vice President regarding the handling of forest fires in Central Kalimantan, including their impact on wildlife and habitats.

According to Trubus, regulations regarding wildlife during normal conditions are indeed available. However, handling during disaster situations still needs to be strengthened to ensure certainty regarding the steps that must be taken by the government and relevant institutions.