West, Central Kalimantan top priority as fire hotspots rise: Minister
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said forest and land fire hotspots in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan have risen again after previously declining, making the two provinces the government's top priority for fire mitigation.
"After all six priority provinces showed a declining trend yesterday, today West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan are again showing rising hotspots. This means the nation's top priority remains West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan," Antoni said in a statement received here on Wednesday.
After reviewing forest and land fires in Jambi on the same day, Antoni said he and National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head Suharyanto would travel to Pontianak to strengthen coordination with stakeholders in West Kalimantan, including the governor, police chief, and military commander.
"That is why tomorrow we are going to Pontianak to meet again with all stakeholders, with the governor, police chief, and military commander, to regroup, evaluate, and draw up a plan on what we can do for mitigation," the minister said.
The coordination effort is aimed at reducing the number of verified hotspots and fire spots once again, he said.
Antoni reminded the public that tackling forest and land fires requires collective vigilance. He said the peak of the El Nino phenomenon is expected in September, making cooperation among various parties essential to prevent and address fires.
According to Forestry Ministry data as of September 1, hotspots in West Kalimantan increased from 273 to 859, while those in Central Kalimantan rose from 253 to 623.
Hotspots in South Sumatra increased from 20 to 89, while those in South Kalimantan rose from 22 to 73. Riau remained at zero, while Jambi increased from zero to four.
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Translator: Prisca, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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