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.
"If we compare it head to head with 2019, it's still far behind. In the same period in 2019, the area reached 52.000 hectares. "This is no longer about numbers, but the impact and danger," he said.
Ferdian said that they would maximize the Manggala Agni personnel in extinguishing forest and land fires occurring in the South Sumatra region.
He emphasized that the focus of the firefighting efforts would be in OKI because of the extensive burnt land in that area.
"Our focus is indeed on extinguishing forest and land fires in OKI. Many cases of forest and land fires have occurred on peatland here, and the smoke it generates is what leads to Palembang," he said.
The Acting Governor of South Sumatra, Agus Fatoni, explained that they have added equipment for firefighting as well as personnel in the field, according to Kompas.com.Â
Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency in South Sumatra, M Iqbal Alisyahbana, admitted that he had not yet been informed of the extent of the burnt land in South Sumatra, as quoted by detikSumbagsel.
He mentioned that the data release was under the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).
"I don't know yet because we are talking about data, and mistakes can lead to sanctions. It's the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) that releases this," he stated.
Furthermore, regencies and cities affected by forest and land fires are allowed to make adjustments to the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD).
"Local governments can make budget adjustments by amending the Regional Head Regulation regarding the breakdown of the Regional Budget (APBD) for the purpose of handling forest and land fires. Since this is an emergency and urgent matter, budget adjustments can be made after the APBD is amended," Fatoni said.
Source:
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