Many Forests And Burnt Lands, Deputy Minister Of Environment And Forestry Calls Water Sources The Key To Handling

Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Alue Dohong/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Water sources are the main key in handling forest and land fires (karhutla) in Central Kalimantan Province. This was conveyed by Deputy Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Alue Dohong after meeting with Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan Edy Pratowo in Palangka Raya City, Sunday, October 1.

"We have to multiply pump engines, drill wells, because water sources are the key," he said.

He has gone to the field to see and directly assist efforts to handle forest and land fires, including in the Tumbang Nusa area to Tanjung Taruna.

"Many bore wells in the field that have been built are still functional, I have proven that yesterday in Tanjung Taruna, until the afternoon, in the field, the road continues," he said.

Alue said that considering that the situation was an emergency, all available resources must be optimized, including people, energy, finance, equipment.

"All components must come down together to overcome forest and land fires," he said.

He has also instructed his staff to send about 25 pump engine units and hoses from Jakarta to assist in handling forest and land fires which are expected to arrive in Palangka Raya at 16.00 WIB.

According to him, if the handling of forest and land fires, especially in the Tumbang Nusa area, Kameloh Baru, and Tanjung Taruna are able to be carried out optimally until they are completely extinguished, then the impact of smoke due to forest and land fires will be significantly reduced, especially for Palangka Raya City.

In addition, until now the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has also continued to monitor various conditions in the field, including potential violations.

"We have monitored everything, we have installed several concession lines (police lines) of Gakkum. I ask for processing if there is negligence, in the regions, both PBS and other concessions. If there is a forest and land fires, I ask for it to be processed as well," he said.