By: Nazaruddin Permana

Tanjabtim - WWF Indonesia RIMBA Program installed three units of forest and land fire early detection devices in the Londerang Peat Protection Forest (HLG) area. This installation was carried out in connection with efforts to anticipate fires like the events that occurred in 2015.

"We plan to install 7 units. One unit can cover an area as far as a radius of 10 km. And this is the first tool to be installed in the HLG Jambi area," said Zainuddin Khalid, WWF Indonesia Rimba Program.

According to Zainuddin, the installation of this tool was supported by MCA Indonesia. In collaboration with Digital Mobile Technology (DM Tech) consultants.

So, with the installation of this tool, the situation of HLG Londerang and its surroundings, especially areas that become Early Warning System (EWS) coverage areas can be monitored at any time. Because this tool will detect and report to the data logger, then send the data in the field to the concentrator. Where, the data will then be processed and the results can be accessed by the public through internet services.

Meanwhile, the DM Tech team said the EWS tool has several sensors. Among other things, it will detect air and soil moisture, air temperature, rainfall and peat water level.

"The Early Warning System was built to detect environmental conditions before a fire occurs, because before a fire occurs there will be changes in environmental conditions such as the water level in the peatland decreasing and the surrounding air temperature increasing," said Dino Martin from GM Tech.

The installation of this EWS tool also received a positive response from the Rawasari Village community and PT ATGA, a company located around HLG Londerang. "This tool is very useful for our village to monitor the development of conditions, especially peat, in the village. So that we can prevent forest and land fires," explained Abdul Rokib, Head of Rawasari Village.

Training

Not only the installation of EWS tools, WWF Indonesia also provided training to approximately residents from Catur Rahayu Village and Rawasari Village, Berbak District, East Tanjung Jabung. They were given training to manage the tool and read natural changes that have an impact on the risk of forest and land fires. So that this effort will help accelerate handling in the event of forest and land fires.

Meanwhile, PT Agro Tumbuh Gemilang Abadi (ATGA) Plantation Manager Eko Pulungan said that his party gave full support to the installation of this EWS. At least, companies located around HLG Londerang will also be helped in monitoring forest and land fires.

"Thus, it is easier for us to monitor the field. During this time, at least we have to go around monitoring the state of the area. Monitoring is done marathon and every 2 hours. So, the installation of this tool is clearly very helpful to us. That's why we also give full support to this effort," said Eko Pulungan.