Companies in Kubu Raya Conduct Joint Training for Peatland Fire Control
West Kalimantan - Several palm oil companies under KPN Plantations, located in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, such as PT PLD, PT SUM, PT GAN, PT NJP, and PT BAS, are committed to preventing forest fires, especially in peatland areas. This commitment was reflected in the Peatland Fire Control Training and Simulation, as well as the 2024 Fire Preparedness Socialization and Roll Call held on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
The Director of PT Putra Lirik Domas Kubu Raya, Komaruzzaman, stated that the company is deeply concerned about the issue of forest fires. They are not only focused on their own plantations but also on the surrounding lands.
“A few weeks ago, a forest fire occurred on community-owned land, and the company's firefighting team assisted in extinguishing the fire for several days with complete personnel and equipment. The fire was completely extinguished,” said Komaruzzaman.
The regulations that allow land clearing through burning and the habit of people clearing land by burning are significant challenges in preventing forest fires. He then urged his employees to always be vigilant and prevent forest fires. The community is also asked to participate in prevention efforts and report any sightings of hotspots.
“We urge the community to help in preventing and handling forest and land fires. It is known that forest and land fires have a number of extremely negative impacts, especially when they occur in peatlands. This includes damage to the hydrological system, decreased biodiversity, climate change, and the production of smoke that can disrupt public health and interfere with land, sea, and air transportation,” he said.
The Kubu Raya Regency Government, especially the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), greatly appreciates the company's efforts to prevent forest fires. They have also worked together to form a firefighting team. This is to anticipate the emergency status of forest fires that Kubu Raya experienced in July.
In addition to socialization activities in the form of three-day training and the signing of a joint commitment to prevent forest fires, the company also handed over 4 fire pump machines to 4 Sub-district Leadership Coordination Forums (Forkopimcam) and conducted a simulation of land fire handling.
Not only does this increase the competence of the company's fire team and village community units (MPA) around the company, but the activity is also carried out as an effort to educate on the prevention and control of fires that cover the concession area and the surrounding landscape up to 2 km outside its concession boundaries.
With concrete steps like these, it is hoped that the synergy between companies, government, and the community can strengthen efforts to protect the environment from the threat of forest and land fires and protect peatlands.
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