TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government is setting up new schemes to address forest fires, one of them being the provision of liquid fertilizers for farmers. The incentive will be given to discourage farmers from burning their fields to improve production.
“Local governments will also be involved,” the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said after a ministerial coordinating at his office yesterday, August 3.
This year has seen forest fires in the provinces of Aceh, Bangka Belitung, Jambi, Riau, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan. The Environment and Forestry Ministry on Wednesday detected 102 hot spots, some 60 percent of which can turn into fire.
Read: Minister Siti: Canal Blocking Effective in Preventing Forest Fire
The figure is lower compared the day before with 156-160 hot spots. However, July 2017 saw 49 percent more hot spots than July 2016 due to dryer season.
Also attended yesterday’s meeting were Health Minister Nila Moeloek, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Willem Rampangilei, the National Police chief Tito Karnavian, and the Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya.
Wiranto said that the government will revamp the procedure for extinguishing forest and land fires that have been done on the ground or by water bombing. He has questioned the permit for water bombings carried out by foreign planes. He also plans to engage the military and the police in the operations.
Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) head Nazir Foead said that his office will strengthen preventive measures through emergency response team in areas prone to land and forest fires. The agency will also educate local formers to stop burning their lands, Nazir said.
YOHANES PASKALIS PAE DALE | ADITYA BUDIMAN | MITRA TARIGAN
