Antara 8 Sep 18;
Pontianak, W. Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Bambang Brodjonegoro, said public participation has played a key role in preventing peatland fires and increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
"Firstly, we have to educate people on how to utilize peatlands and reduce the risk of land fires," Brodjonegoro said at the closing of the kick-off meeting and expose of ICCTF program here on Friday.
The National Development Planning Minister applauded the cooperation of the Indonesian Climate Change Trust Fund (ICCTF) and the Tanjungpura University, on the public-based peatland management and protection program in West Kalimantan.
"This program would encourage public participation and economic activities," he added.
The government, he said, has continued efforts to stop land and forest fires, and seek the root of the problem.
"Peatlands often become the source of fires, maybe because of the lack of public awareness that burning the land could spark fire not only in the area, but could spread to other locations in the peatland area as well," he said.
Hence, public education is important to encourage people to utilize the peatlands for their livelihoods.
He expressed hope that the program in West Kalimantan could be imitated by other regions.
The program involved 11 villages in the province namely Simpang Kasturi, Mandor, Kayu Ara, Sum Sum, Kayu Tanam, Sungai Segak, Retok, Kubu Padi, Peniti Besar, Peniti Dalam I, Peniti Dalam II.
Reporting by Desi Purnamawati
Editing by Sri Hariyati
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
