Collaboration is the Key, Riau Police Chief Says Durian Karhutla is Starting to be Controlled

Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan

JAKARTA - Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan said that the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in the East Dumai District, Dumai City, began to show results. The fire point was reported to have decreased significantly after the integrated handling was carried out.

This was conveyed by Herry on the sidelines of his presence at the location of the forest fire with Rocky Gerung as the Founder of the Tumbuh Institute as well as regional government elements, TNI-Polri, and volunteers on Friday, March 27. He even participated in the extinguishing process with the joint team.

"Today I am present directly at the location in the East Dumai District. I am accompanied by Mr. Rocky from the Tumbuh Institute who has been with us for the past few days, from Rupat, Pelalawan, to today in Dumai," Herry told reporters.

Herry revealed that the significant decrease in the number of hotspots was a cross-sectoral cooperation that continued to be strengthened. The latest data revealed that there were still 11 hotspots or hot spots in the Dumai area.

The details, 2 are in eastern Dumai and 9 points in Medang Kampai with a medium category with a total area of 87.25 hectares.

"In East Dumai, there has been a significant decline. From the previous dozens of fire points, thank God, now there are only eight points that we continue to handle. This is the result of the joint work of all elements, both the TNI, Polri, local government, BPBD, Damkar, Manggala Agni, MPA, volunteers, to the support of the private sector," explained this 1996 Akpol graduate.

Herry said that the handling of forest fires could not be done in a partial manner, but must be through integrated collaboration. "Everyone must work together," he said.

"What is the obstacle in the field must be immediately bridged, both in terms of equipment, water bombing support, and other steps such as weather modification that we have communicated," he continued.

In the future, Herry said the challenge is still quite big because the peak of the dry season will soon arrive. "Especially from June to August, this collaborative work must continue to be maintained. This is not a one-sided work, this is a joint work," he said.

Meanwhile, Rocky Gerung assessed that the rapid steps of the authorities were an important factor in breaking the annual cycle of forest fires. "The next hundred days are the end phase of El Nino, which means there will be extra heat. We know this is a problem that recurs every year. But I see there is a good initiative when the authorities come down early to start handling," said Rocky.

Rocky emphasized that a technical approach alone is not enough without awareness of maintaining the environment. Moreover, forest fires are a reflection of the relationship between humans and the environment that must be improved together.

"We can do water bombing, we can modify the weather, technology can help. But the most important thing is how we maintain our relationship with nature. If it is not maintained, this problem will continue to recur," he said.

"Nature has its own laws. We can put out the fire, but if our relationship with nature is problematic, then the fire will continue to occur. Therefore, the involvement of all parties, from the state, society, to academics, is needed to ensure that the fire does not spread."