Asian Games 2018: INASGOC Calls on People to Prevent Forest Fire

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2018 Asian Games organizing committee (INASGOC) calls on the Indonesian people to prevent the emergence of the forest fire during the establishment of the sports event. INASGOC secretary general Eris Herryanto stated the smoke might be harmful to the athletes even though the fire happened far from the venue.

“We have synergized with all stakeholders [from the government institution and all citizens] to prevent and overcome the fire because the smoke can disturb the athletes during the match,” said INASGOC secretary general Eris Herryanto in a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday, April 26.

According to Eric, INASGOC has anticipated the emergence of forest fire particularly in Palembang, South Sumatra since the upcoming dry season is estimated to peak in August.

INASGOC has collaborated with the Forest and Land Fires Directorate at the Forestry and Environment Ministry, Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG), National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), National Army (TNI), and National Police (Polri), as well as regional administrations in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Eric added.

Furthermore, the South Sumatra BRG head Najib Asmani said, “We have identified 47 points that prone to fire in South Sumatra. The most fire-prone region is Ogan Komering Ilir subdistrict, followed by Ogan Ilir, Banyu Asin, and Musi Banyu Asin.”

Najib mentioned BRG team has prepared 5,000 canals and retention basins as the water reservoir and also build 755 posts of fire prevention in South Sumatra. “We will create 1,000 more water reservoir in May.”

In addition, the ministry’s sub-directorate head of Forest and Land Fires Untung Suprapto asserted the government has conducted an integrated patrol on forest protection in a bid to minimalize the risk of forest fire.

ANTARA