Rajiv Calls for Protection of Endemic Wildlife Amid Kalimantan Forest Fires
The forest and land fires (karhutla) currently affecting Kalimantan Island have become a major concern for Member of Parliament Rajiv. He highlighted the deteriorating public health conditions as well as the impact on local flora and fauna caused by the disaster.
“Forest fires do not only cause haze and disrupt public health, but also threaten the survival of various endemic flora and fauna that constitute Indonesia’s natural wealth,” Rajiv stated in a written release on Wednesday (2/9/2026).
Rajiv emphasised that Kalimantan is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Various rare and endemic Indonesian species, such as hornbills, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, ironwood trees, and numerous orchid species, are at risk of extinction due to the fires.
“Imagine, Kalimantan Island possesses vast amounts of rare flora and fauna; when forests burn, we lose not just trees, but also food sources, water, and ultimately habitats, meaning our endemic wildlife and genetic wealth face potential extinction,” said Rajiv.
Furthermore, Rajiv noted that affected wildlife does not only face death from the fires; those that manage to escape face subsequent threats due to the loss of homes and food sources, which can also lead to new conflicts with communities living near the forests.
“We must anticipate and mitigate the movement of surviving wildlife into plantations, secondary forests, or residential areas, as the risk of human-wildlife conflict is increasing,” said the young NasDem Party politician.
According to him, ecosystem recovery requires more than just replanting trees, as food chains and the ecological functions of forests take a very long time to reform.
Rajiv also urged the government to change its approach to handling forest fires from the currently dominant reactive method to permanent, risk-based prevention involving all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Forestry, law enforcement, and indigenous communities.
“This situation must be viewed as an ecological crisis, not merely an issue of extinguishing flames. The government needs to establish an integrated command system that connects all stakeholders. Every hotspot must be immediately verified in the field, its source traced, and addressed before it escalates into a major fire,” Rajiv stated.
Additionally, he asserted that wildlife protection must be integrated into every forest fire management plan. Important habitat areas located outside conservation zones must also receive protection through ecological corridors, preservation areas, and cooperation with concession holders and local communities.
“The Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Environment need to establish wildlife emergency response protocols that include the mapping of protection areas and wildlife corridors, rescue teams and wildlife health services, the provision of temporary habitats, and post-fire monitoring,” Rajiv concluded.