Antara 4 Sep 19;
Pontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The LAPAN satellite image data showed 949 hotspots were spotted in West Kalimantan on Sept 3-4, 2019, a notable surge, from 15 hotspots on Sept 2-3, according to the Supadio-Pontianak meteorology station.
Of the total, 433 hotspots were found in Ketapang District, 123 in Sintang, 102 in Sanggau, 87 in Sekadau, 61 in North Kayong, 49 in Landak, 41 in Melawi, 29 in Kubu Raya, 14 in Bengkayang, six in Kapuas Hulu and Sambas, Erika Mardiyanti, head of the meteorology station, stated here on Wednesday.
West Kalimantan Deputy Governor Ria Norsan noted that the provincial administration had issued Government Regulation No. 39 of 2019 on Prevention and Mitigation of Forest Fires to curtail slash and burn practices.
West Kalimantan Police Chief Insp. Gen. Didi Haryono confirmed that the West Kalimantan Police had arrested 52 suspects in land and forest fire cases in the province.
"A total of 52 suspects were arrested in 44 cases comprising 43 individual cases and one involving a corporation," Haryono had stated on Aug 27, 2019.
During the January-July 2019 period, fires ravaged 135,479 hectares of forest and plantation areas throughout Indonesia.
Of the total, 3,315 hectares (ha) were spotted in West Kalimantan, 71,712 ha in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), 30,065 ha in Riau, 4,970 ha in Riau Islands, 4,670 ha in South Kalimantan, 4,430 ha in East Kalimantan, and 3,618 ha in Central Kalimantan.
Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto had earlier admitted to dismal law enforcement against the perpetrators of the slash and burn method triggering forest and land fires. He noted that the government will adopt a different approach to end traditional farming practices using fires.
Wiranto pointed out that the sanction imposed on individuals setting fires had proven ineffectual in thwarting the practice.
The minister confirmed that a stern warning had been issued to 37 corporations to end slash and burn practices to clear land, while legal proceedings against five other companies were yet underway.
Wiranto noted that the number of hotspots this year had surpassed those of the previous years.
"The largest percentage of forest fires was caused by human activities, such as the slash and burn method, for clearing land," he remarked.
Reporter: Andilala, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
LAPAN records slight dip in hotspots in West Kalimantan
Antara 5 Sep 19;
Pontianak, West Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The LAPAN satellite image data indicated the presence of 935 hotspots suggestive of forest fires in West Kalimantan on September 4-5, 2019, a slight dip from 949 hotspots on Sept 3-4.
Head of the Supadio-Pontianak meteorology office Erika Mardiyanti stated here on Thursday morning that the number of hotspots decreased by 14 than that of the previous day.
Of the total figure, 452 hotspots were observed in Ketapang District, surging from 433 on the earlier day.
Head of the meteorology station Erika Mardiyanti stated here on Wednesday that 117 hotspots were detected in Sintang, 119 in Sanggau, 60 in Sekadau, 41 in North Kayong, 25 in Landak, 16 in Melawi, 38 in Kubu Raya, 13 in Bengkayang, two in Mempawah, 46 in Kapuas Hulu, and one in Sambas.
Haze emanating from forest fires over the past 48 hours has blanketed Pontianak, the capital city of West Kalimantan.
West Kalimantan Deputy Governor Ria Norsan remarked that the provincial administration had issued Government Regulation No. 39 of 2019 on Prevention and Mitigation of Forest Fires to curb slash and burn practices.
West Kalimantan Police Chief Insp. Gen. Didi Haryono gave confirmation of the arrests of 52 suspects by the West Kalimantan Police over land and forest fire cases in the province.
"Some 52 suspects were arrested in 44 cases comprising 43 individual cases and one involving a corporation," Haryono had noted on Aug 27, 2019.
During the January-July 2019 period, fires ravaged 135,479 hectares (ha) of forest and plantation areas across Indonesia.
Of the total, 3,315 ha were spotted in West Kalimantan, 71,712 ha in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), 30,065 ha in Riau, 4,970 ha in Riau Islands, 4,670 ha in South Kalimantan, 4,430 ha in East Kalimantan, and 3,618 ha in Central Kalimantan.
Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto had earlier admitted to ineffectual law enforcement against perpetrators of the slash and burn method triggering forest and land fires. He asserted that the government will apply a different approach to put a stop to traditional farming practices using fires. Related news: Satellite imagery suggests 949 hotspots in West Kalimantan
Related news: LAPAN records 151 hotspots in West Kalimantan
EDITED BY INE
Reporter: Andilala, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Six hotspots observed in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan
Antara 5 Sep 19;
Penajam, East Kalimantan (ANTARA) - No less than six hotspots, suggestive of forest fires, were found in North Penajam Paser District, East Kalimantan, the location of Indonesia's next capital city in future.
The hotspots were found in the sub-districts of Penajam, Waru, Babulu, and Sepaku, Tohar, ex-officio head of the North Penajam Paser disaster mitigation office (BPBD), stated here on Thursday.
Data of the local BPBD showed that as of August 2019, some 23 cases were registered of forest fires ravaging a total area of 65 hectares in North Penajam Paser.
He called on local officers and farmers to remain alert to forest fires, as prolonged drought will last until October this year.
Tohar also called on plantation companies and local farmers to stop using fire for land clearance owing to its damaging impacts on the floral and faunal ecosystem.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has announced that parts of the districts of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara in East Kalimantan Province will be the location for the country’s new capital expected to be inaugurated in 2024, the year when Jokowi’s second term would come to an end. Jokowi had informed the media on August 26, 2019, that the two districts were selected, as they faced the least risks from natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, and landslides.
Moreover, they are strategically located in the heart of Indonesia and near Balikpapan and Samarinda that are developed cities. Thus, basic infrastructure and facilities already exist. Furthermore, the government owns 180 thousand hectares of land there.
The government has made assurance that development of the capital city will not harm the environment and pledged that East Kalimantan’s forests would remain intact.
In the meantime, the LAPAN satellite image data showed the presence of 935 hotspots indicating forest fires in West Kalimantan on September 4-5, 2019, a slight dip from 949 hotspots on Sept 3-4.
Head of the Supadio-Pontianak meteorology office Erika Mardiyanti stated here on Thursday morning that the number of hotspots decreased by 14 than that of the previous day.
Of the total figure, 452 hotspots were observed in Ketapang District, surging from 433 on the earlier day.
Related news: West Kalimantan police arrest 52 suspects in forest fire cases
Related news: Fire ravages 150 ha of land in East Kolaka: BNPB
Reporter: Novi Abdi, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
