Jakarta Government Enforces Zero Tolerance Policy on Forest Burning
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan has reaffirmed the Indonesian government’s firm stance against the illegal burning of forests for land clearing purposes, stressing that stringent measures will be taken against perpetrators.
“In accordance with the directive of President Prabowo Subianto, the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for forest burning as a method of land clearing,” Minister Gunawan stated in an official press release on Monday.
While acknowledging the legitimate land use needs of communities and corporations, Gunawan emphasized that the government strongly opposes any practices that endanger public health and the environment.
“The president supports the use of modern, high-tech, and environmentally friendly alternatives for land clearing,” he noted.
Gunawan also revealed that the government has initiated a comprehensive support program to facilitate access to sustainable land clearing technologies. The initiative includes the provision of heavy machinery, eco-friendly equipment, and technical assistance coordinated through relevant ministries and agencies.
The rollout of this technological support will begin in regions most vulnerable to forest and land fires, particularly in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan.
Additionally, the government will assist farmers and business operators in adopting sustainable land management practices, with the overarching goal of drastically reducing the occurrence of deliberate forest burning.
Minister Gunawan expressed his appreciation for the Forest and Land Fire Coordination Desk, which has played a pivotal role in mitigating fire incidents.
“Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Ministry of Forestry, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), and other stakeholders, the number of hotspots has significantly decreased compared to 2024,” he remarked.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of inter-agency coordination and swift response mechanisms, which he credited as essential factors in the government’s ongoing success in combating forest and land fires.
