PALEMBANG - At present, a significant environmental crisis unfolds in South Sumatra (Sumsel), as forest and land fires (karhutla) ravage a total of 32.000 hectares. The most extensive affected region is the Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Regency.
Quoted from Kompas.com, the forest and land fires that have occurred have resulted in the air quality in Palembang remaining in a hazardous level until now, as it has been shrouded in smog."
DetikSumbagsel reported that Ferdian Kristanto, the Head of the Climate Change Control Center for Forest and Land Fires (BPPIKHL) in the Sumatra Region, had confirmed a dire situation in South Sumatra, with 32.000 hectares of land engulfed in flames. The alarming revelation highlighted a pressing environmental crisis in the region.
He said that the number had increased dramatically in September 2023. Previously, from January to August, 4.082 hectares had been recorded.
"'If the details haven't been officially released yet. It's just a total of 32.000 hectares," he said when contacted by detikSumbagsel.
From the total burnt area, Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Regency takes the top spot with a total burnt area reaching 20.558 hectares, as reported by Kompas.com.
The breakdown includes 9.092 hectares of peatland and 11.465 hectares of non-peatland.
"In second place is Ogan Ilir Regency with a burnt area of 3.615 hectares of non-peatland," Ferdian said.
Ferdian mentioned that the area with a lot of burnt land is OKI. He further stated that the burnt land area for this year is still far below that of the same period in 2019, reaching 52.000 hectares.
However, he said, this is no longer about numbers. This is about the impacts and dangers that occur.