Antara 22 Aug 19;
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto has admitted poor law enforcement against individuals applying slash and burn method caused forest and land fires. He said the government would take a different approach to stop the traditional farming practices.
"This traditional society, we have reminded them. Corporations can help them with tractors (for land clearing) hence they do not have to burn the forest," Wiranto said after a meeting on land and forest fire here on Wednesday.
According to Wiranto the sanction imposed for individuals that ignited the fires was ineffective to stop the practice.
"It is ineffective, we have to find another way to solve the problem. Because they practise this for generations. But we have to change the mindset, and we need the help of all stakeholders to change their mindset," Wiranto remarked.
The minister disclosed that 37 corporations have been warned to stop slash and burn practises in land clearing and the legal process against five other companies are still ongoing.
Wiranto said, the number of hotspots this year is higher than the previous years.
"The largest percentage of forest fire were caused by human activities, slash and burn method in land clearing," he said.
Present in the meeting were Environmental Affairs and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, and Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Puan Maharani.
The meeting also discussed efforts to make artificial rain.
Reporter: Syaiful Hakim, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Governor gives ultimatum to errant plantation, timber estate companies
Antara 21 Aug 19;
I will take firm measures against the plantation and timber estate companies that still let their concession areas catch fire by sealing or freezing the concession areas for five years
Pontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) - West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji has forewarned to seal plantation or timber estate companies found to have deliberately set fire to or allowed fire to rage across their concession areas.
"I will take firm measures against plantation and timber estate companies that continue to allow their concession areas to catch fire by sealing or freezing these areas for five years," Sutarmidji remarked here on Wednesday.
The governor also threatened to revoke the permits of plantation and timber estate companies if they were caught setting fire to or allowing fire to rage across their concession areas.
"I do not believe in someone who said the local people will grow plants on the burnt land since the scorched area has reached more than 100 hectares. It is not easy to put out the land fire, as we need four water-bombing helicopters to conduct operations, such as in Tumbang Titi, Ketapang District," he stated.
He further issued a warning to plantation and timber estate companies against engaging in land and forest fire activities since the local administration is serious about taking firm measures.
"A total of 10 companies are currently being sealed, and this number may increase. If need be, we will revoke their permits. I have asked the Ketapang district head to take the issue of land fire seriously, as Ketapang has the largest number of hotspots, including those in Sintang and Sanggau," he stated.
Sutarmidji believed that the West Kalimantan Provincial Police chief and commander of the Tanjungpura Regional Military Command XII as well as their ranks and files have made all-out efforts to fight land and forest fires in the province.
Reporter: Slamet Ardiansyah, Andilala/Su
Editor: Sri Haryati
