KLHK Increases Patrols To Prevent Forest And Land Fires On Trans Sumatra Toll Roads

Director General of Environmental Pollution and Damage Control of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Sigit Reliantoro, in a press conference held at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Park, Jakarta, Saturday (7/10/2023). (ANTARA/Sugiharto Purnama).

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has increased patrols to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla) on the Trans Sumatra toll road located in the South Sumatra region.

Director General of Environmental Pollution and Damage Control of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Sigit Reliantoro, said there were three components that caused the fire, namely fire, fuel in the form of peat, and oxygen.

"On the toll road, actually there is not much fuel because it is not in peat, only in dry swamps that are flammable, so there are more patrols," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, October 7.

Based on the records of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, there are three burning locations that currently still need serious treatment, namely Ogan Komering Ilir, Padang Sugihan, and Musi Banyuasin.

The three areas were passed by the East Sumatra Cross Road, Indralaya - Prabumulih Toll Road, and Palembang - Kayuagung Toll Road.

The Ogan Komering Ilir area has a peatland that is thick from one to six meters, so that if the fuel is calculated it can reach around 230 million cubic meters of peat.

As for Padang Sugihan, it is important to maintain it, because even though the peatland is slightly thick, it is only about one meter thick, but the area is a wildlife granted which is the path of the elephant. The number of guards that is lacking allows many people to access the area to burn.

Meanwhile, Musi Banyuasin, which also experienced forest and land fires related to the concession area.

Sigit said that if the peatlands there are not managed properly, they can become large fuels and make the handling relatively long.

On September 30, 2023, the air quality index in Palembang City, South Sumatra was categorized as dangerous due to smoke pollution sourced from Ogan Komering Ilir and Padang Sugihan.

"We are grateful to the local government, the acting governor of South Sumatra who has just taken part in securing forest and land fires. We also express our appreciation to the South Sumatra Police Chief who has sent the police for extinguishing activities," said Sigit.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry is currently looking for additional water sources from the Ogan Komering River to wet peatlands in the area so that forest and land fires do not spread.

Security assistance is needed to protect the area so that people are reluctant to enter and no longer burn.

Since three days ago, water bombing activities have been carried out 91 times per day to wet peat areas and protect wildlife asylum from the threat of fire.

"This effort is quite significant in helping fire control. A few days ago, Palembang's air quality was categorized as dangerous, now it has gradually improved to an unhealthy level and is very unhealthy because there is still smoke pollution from Ogan Komering Ilir," said Sigit.