3 PBPH Companies In Riau Sealed By The Ministry Of Transportation Due To Peat Land Fires

Illustration of forest barbarity (ANTARA)

The Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry (Gakkum Kemenhut) has again sealed three companies with Forest Utilization Business Licensing (PBPH) whose peatland in their area caught fire in Riau.

"The Directorate General of Law and Human Rights is fully committed to protecting forests from fires and will take firm action against forest burners," said Director General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Law, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 5.

"In addition to sealing the 3 PBPHs, supervision is also carried out through checking PBPH work area protection facilities and infrastructure, as well as efforts to deal with forest fires by PBPH in terms of equipment, human resources and work procedures, as well as monitoring PBPH compliance by referring to the Annual Work Plan that has been prepared," he added.

He explained that the increase in the number of burned areas in Riau prompted the Directorate General of Gakkum Kemenhut through the Forestry Supervisory Team to take firm steps by sealing three companies with the PBPH of burning peatlands in Riau.

The results of SiPingi Kememhut monitoring via the Suomi National Polar-orbital Partnership (SNPP) satellite with a moderate level of trust during July showed that there were 930 hotspots, with 374 hotspots in Riau. Some are in peatlands that are prone to fire.

Three PBPHs that were sealed were PT DRT in Rokan Hilir Regency with a burning area of about 75 hectares located in peat areas in the production forest area, spread over 2 locations covering an area of 45 hectares and 30 hectares.

The area of PT RUJ in Dumai City covering an area of 24.9 hectares is also sealed in the peat area of the production forest area and PT SAU in Pelalawan Regency covering an area of 60 hectares is located in the peat area of the production forest.

Dwi Januanto explained that the peat ecosystem has a vital role in maintaining environmental balance, especially as the largest carbon store on land that is able to reduce the impact of climate change. In addition, peatlands become a habitat for various endemic species and a source of life for local communities.

In a similar statement, the Director of Supervision, Imposition of Administrative and Civil Sanctions of the Ministry of Transportation, Ardi Risman, said the sealing was carried out as an initial effort to stop illegal activities and reduce the risk of repeated fires.

"We will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the compliance of these companies with the obligation to protect the work area and control forest fires in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number P. 32/MenLHK/Setjen/Kum.1/3/2016 concerning Control of Forest and Land Fires," he explained.

If it is proven that there is an element of negligence or intentional, the company will be subject to severe administrative sanctions to the revocation of permits in accordance with applicable regulations, and it is possible to follow the criminal law process or civil lawsuits to restore the damaged forest ecosystem.

Previously, the Ministry of Transportation during June and July had made law enforcement efforts, there were 8 PBPHs. With details of 3 companies in Riau, 4 companies in West Kalimantan and 1 company in South Sumatra.