By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda dan Tira Maya

Palangkaraya (05/10)-Forest and peatland fires have become annual gifts in Central Kalimantan. The practice of slash and burn clearing for industrial plantation forest, palm oil plantations and the one million hectare peatland megaproject have caused massive environmental destruction. This is the main cause of the uncontrol forest fires in Central Kalimantan.
The dry season came on July has aggravated forest and peatland fires in Central Kalimantan. Although it is less serious than peatland fires in 1997 wich covered an area of 0,73 million hectares, the fires in Central Kalimantan occurred since last month (September) has spread to conservation area of Sebangau National Park.

According to Communication Officer of WWF-Indonesia in Central Kalimantan, Tira Maya, the burned area is mostly located near river basin or canals where access exists. The information that we received from the interview with Sebangau National Park Office showed that total burned area in Pulang Pisau is 20 hectares, in Mendawai is approximately 600 hectares and in Palangkara it reaches more than 20 hectares. Garuda seedling area in Sebangau National Park is also in danger since it is located near to the burned area.
Coordinator of WWF-Indonesia Forest Fire Dedi Hariri said that forest and peatland fires in Central Kalimantan needed a serious action from all parties, local people, NGOs, and government. “Soon WWF-Indonesia will be working with Sebangau National Park Office to form a patrol team consisted of forest rangers from Sebangau National Park Office and the local community. The patrol team will detect fires in the park and the area near Sebangau NP. WWF will support the operation and conduct the training, Dedi added.
Previously, WWF has also been working with Sebangau National Park Office by establishing Fire Brigade (RPK) and constructing canal blocking to protect groundwater surface and reduce access for people entering the conservation area. Until 2009, there have been 176 canal blockings constructed in Bangah and Bakung river.
The program conducted by WWF and Sebangau National Park Office will not be effective to reduce deforestation rate in Central Kalimantan if government doesn’t put serious effort to tackle forest and peatland fires. “I expect government can strengthen forest and peatland fires tackling aspect. Moreover, they need to promote law enforcement against those found guilty of setting the fires in slash and burn clearing practice” Dedi said. He also mentioned the importance of mapping and implementing priority zonation of forest fire tackling.
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