TAP's Strategy to Prevent Forest Fires by Boosting Local Economy

Efforts to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) in Desa Jahitan, Central Kalimantan, do not stop at awareness campaigns, patrols, and firefighting. Through the Desa Makmur Peduli Api (DMPA) programme, the village’s success in protecting its area from fires is rewarded with a fund that is then developed into a productive business.

In Desa Jahitan, the fund of around Rp100 million was used to develop a brick-making business. The business now employs six residents and is capable of producing around 800-1,000 bricks per day.

General Manager for Central Kalimantan and Sumatra Region of PT Triputra Agro Persada Tbk (TAP), Japatar Banjarnahor, said the approach is designed to link forest fire prevention with improving the community’s economy.

“DMPA Batako provides sustainable employment, where the community does not need to burn land but already has a new source of livelihood,” said Japatar on Thursday (28/8/2026).

According to Japatar, forest fire control cannot be carried out only when fires have already appeared. Preparedness must be built throughout the year through prevention, early detection, personnel readiness, education, and collaboration with the community and government.

“Facing forest fires cannot wait for the fire to appear. Preparedness must be built long before that, and carried out throughout the year. Therefore, our approach is not only firefighting but includes prevention, early detection, personnel readiness, education, and collaboration with the community,” he said.

He said forest fires are a threat that impacts companies, communities, and the environment. Therefore, controlling them requires the involvement of various parties.

“Forest fire control is a responsibility that cannot be borne alone. It demands synergy from all parties, the government, permit holders or companies, and the community,” said Japatar during a presentation on forest fire preparedness by PT Gawi Bahandep Sawit Mekar (GBSM) in Central Kalimantan on Wednesday (26/8/2026).

For the residents of Desa Jahitan, fires do not always start from the deliberate clearing of land. Fires can also arise from residents’ activities in water areas or land that dries up during the dry season. Head of Desa Jahitan, Sudarmono, said that engaging with the community is an important part of preventing fires.

“From what I see, sometimes it might be unintentional,” he said on Wednesday (26/8/2026).

He said some residents still carry out activities in the lake area during the dry season. When the water recedes, the area becomes a place for residents to fish.

“Mostly, from what I see, sometimes they are there because of fishing,” he said.

In such conditions, carelessly discarded cigarette embers can become a source of fire.

“Sometimes they smoke and just throw it away,” said Sudarmono.

Desa Jahitan staff member Aminudin said the village government has so far not found any cases of residents deliberately burning land to open plantations. Two fire incidents reported in the Desa Jahitan area in the recent period also occurred around the lake area.

The location is considered unsuitable for farming, so residents’ fishing activities are one suspected cause of the fires.

Desa Jahitan has around 714 residents spread across three neighbourhood units (RT) and one community unit (RW). The village government disseminates information about fire hazards through direct meetings and community WhatsApp groups.

“We often conduct awareness campaigns or share information in WhatsApp groups or directly to the community about the dangers or prevention or our losses from fires,” said Aminudin.