Commission IV: The Government Should Prepare Water Bombing Helicopters In The Lake Toba Area

Daniel Johan (doc PKB)

JAKARTA - Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives highlighted the limitations of fire extinguishers to overcome forest and land fires (karhutla). This time the forest and land fires occurred in the Siarubung / Dolok Sijonaha Protected Forest which is included in the Lake Toba tourist area in Samosir Regency, North Sumatra (North Sumatra).

The forest and land fires that took place last Sunday (14/7) in the area near Aek Sipitudai Village, Sianjur Mula District, Samosir devoured the weeds and pine trees that grew in the hills.

According to the North Sumatra Provincial Government's Environment and Forestry Service, the fire is thought to have started with land clearing and has devoured more than 100 hectares of protected forests. Officers had difficulty extinguishing the fire because the location of the fire was a steep hilly area without road access that fire engines could pass. Not to mention the strong winds, dry weeds, and the dry season make the fire spread more quickly.

Karhutla is always repeated every year during the dry season. The government should be more alert in taking anticipation. Prepare maximum forest and land fire fire facilities! said member of Commission IV of the DPR, Daniel Johan, Thursday, July 18.

The fire extinguishing was carried out by a joint team consisting of Personnel for Forest Management Unit Area VIII Dolok Sanggul, Manggala Agni Operational Area Aek Nauli, Samosir Regency Government, local TNI and Polri officers, and forest farmer groups.

Due to limited equipment and personnel in reaching the burned area, officers were unable to access several large hotspots. Actually, fire engines and high-pressure water pumps have been deployed, but not all hotspots can be accessed. Finally, the officers extinguished the manual by hitting the fire to prevent the spread of the fire.

"The government should prepare water bombing helicopters in areas where forest and land fires often occur, including in the Lake Toba area," explained Daniel.

"Especially during the dry season like now so that when there is forest and land fires, the fire can be extinguished quickly and not spread further," continued Daniel.

Daniel assessed that the government did not pay attention to the continuous handling of forest and land fires. Even forest and land fires in the Lake Toba area are wider than last year and most of the burned areas are critical land in the hills that has dried up, especially in Harian and Sianjur Districts.

"This is quite ironic. Forest and land fires in the Lake Toba area which is a national strategic area and super priority tourism destinations are only handled as "as it is" and it is not enough to be considered important to get the best facilities, "said Daniel.

To note, the location of the karhulta is also close to the Kaldera Toba Geopark which is included as a member of UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGP). According to Daniel, the Government should have given more concern, especially in 2023 that UNESCO had given a yellow card because the Indonesian government was considered less action to continue promoting Kaldera Toba.

"If there is no future improvement, including in the handling of forest and land fires, Kaldera Toba's status as UNESCO Global Geopark could really be revoked," said Daniel.

The forest and land fires in the hills of Sipitudai Village, Sianjur Mula District, which spread to land in the Siaraubung hills, Harian District, are thought to have been deliberately burned for land clearing carried out by the community. Daniel reminded the importance of optimizing education and socializing to the community.

"Actually, it is a dilemma, we have many regulations that prohibit forest fires for land clearing purposes. But on the one hand there are community needs," explained the legislator from the West Kalimantan I electoral district.

"So the role of the Government is very much needed to embrace the community so that land clearing does not cause forest and land fires," added Daniel.

According to the member of the forestry and environmental commission of the DPR, the Government also needs to take a socio-cultural approach and take advantage of local wisdom in providing education to the public. Daniel said that law enforcement efforts must be accompanied by various social approaches.

"Involve regional leaders, local religious leaders, and figures who are trusted by the community. Take advantage of local wisdom," he said.

Apart from that, the government and law enforcement are still being asked to carry out a thorough investigation. The location of the fire is known to be next to the residents' fields.

"If there are structured actions, sanctions must still be enforced as for perpetrators of plantation land clearing that are mostly carried out by corporations," said Daniel.