Peat fires in Indonesia continue to receive special attention from the government, even President Joko Widodo. In January 2016 and has established the Agency for Restoration of Peat (BRG). Jokowi appointed former WWF Conservation Director Nazir Foead as BRG leaders to address these problems, with the mission of restoration area of two million hectares in five years time.
Land restored in seven provinces of Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Papua. Monday (01/8), head of Nazir BRG Foead with Tim Hall Swamp South Kalimantan was accompanied by Prof. Udiansyah, Chief BPBDs Banjar H Sunarto, head of the Dishut Banjar H Rahmat Kartolo, Head of Highways and Water Resources Banjar M Hilman, Head of Public Relations Setda Banjar Rahmaddin MY, Head of Sungai Tabuk HM Arsyad, Head of Gambut subdistrict M Rabbani, as well as Deputy Mayor of Banjarbaru Darmawan Jaya Setiawan reviewing peatland located in the District of peat, Sungai Tabuk Banjar Regency and Subdistrict Liang Anggang Banjarbaru.
Nazir Foead said existing peatland in Banjar Regency and Banjarbaru quite extensive, so that the necessary review and mapping in advance in order to plan the restoration can go as planned and do not conflict with existing regulations so that the results obtained can be maximized.
“Peatland fires always happen in this area, the impact will be very harmful for the community and region. To that end, we have plans to make 50 drilled wells scattered in two areas, namely the Banjar district and Banjarbaru, in order to minimize the potential occurrence of peat fires. In addition, the manufacture of the wellbore will be very favorable surrounding residents because it is close to a water source, “he said.
Efforts BRG focuses on rewetting (wetting back) and revegetation (replanting) peatlands. “Fighting it requires sources of ignition and fuel. What we do with rewetting (wetting back) is reducing its fuel. While the source of the fire, that is, those who burn, will we embrace through communication and socialization, “said Nazir.
“Later we will coordinate with local leaders, the private sector and the community to resolve this problem. It is our collective responsibility, the necessary synergy, hard work and determination that forest fires and peat land can be overcome together, “he concluded.
Meanwhile, Banjar District Government strongly supported and welcomed the plan BRG overcome and minimize the potential for peat fires. Some time ago, Secretary Banjar H Nasrunsyah said, Banjar regency prepared and focusing support restoration efforts as proclaimed by the central government.
He explained, measures prepared by building a pilot area of peatland restoration so that it can serve as an example the handling of peatlands for other regions.
“We have made the region as a pilot region peat restoration so that it can become an example for other areas that have peatland, a pilot area located in District Peat and being prepared canal system to prevent the spread of flames in case of fires. The system canalization prepared according to the direction the team Kalsel peat restoration of provincial and central levels, and we believe, canalization system is quite effective, “said Nasrunsyah.
Emphasized, the whole range of Banjar Regency continues to prepare for the dry season is accompanied by land and forest fires particularly in the peatlands. “We have prepared a precautionary measure through the coordination of relevant departments and agencies so that if there is a forest fire can quickly be anticipated,” he said. (Fi’i / tohal/Boma)