Indonesia's New Capital Authority Anticipating Forest Fire in Dry Season

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Authority for the New Capital City of Nusantara (IKN Authority) invites a number of stakeholders to work together in anticipating land and forest fires in the new capital city area. The IKN Authority deputy of environment and natural resources, Myrna A. Safitri, explained that preparedness needs to be increased.

"We need to be extra careful regarding the possible threat from El Nino," Myrna said in a written statement cited on Saturday, May 27.

She explained that IKN Authority, together with the stakeholders, had formed strategic steps to anticipate the threats. Since February, Myrna went on, efforts to discuss and form tactical steps to mitigate land and forest fire in IKN had been conducted.

“But, nearing June, July, and August, these must be intensified,” she said.

Currently, there are three that are of IKN Authority's concern. The first is at the Central Government Core Area (KIPP) where the infrastructure constructions are being centered; the second is at the Bukit Soeharto Forest Park; and the third are areas outside the previous two locations which are known as fire-prone areas.

"We are aware that various parties in East Kalimantan have shown preparedness efforts. Starting from the Village Office and other village organizations (OPD), Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), TNI (military), up to the National Police," Myrna said.

Some other institutions include the Environment and Forestry Ministry (KLHK); the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG); the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB); the Regional Government of East Kalimantan Province; East Kalimantan Fire Care Society; and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) team supports to strengthen synergy and coordination.

IKN Authority director of Forestry and Water Resources Development Utilization Pungky Widiaryanto said his side would focus on KIPP and IKN areas, specifically to restore and conserve nature, including controlling land and forest fires. "In hope, there will be a forest command center which is a center for forest management to prevent forest fires or protect biodiversity and others."

Despite not many forest fires recorded in the past two years, Pungky said that IKN Authority and related parties would continue to do drought prevention and anticipation. There are four strategies that would be set to prevent land and forest fires.

“First, set the locus of activity; Second, coordinating joint annual planning; Third, coordination of prevention and response implementation; Lastly, monitoring, evaluating and learning together," Pungky remarked.

Moh. Khory Alfarizi

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