VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Forestry practitioner from Bogor Agricultural Institute Bambang H. Saharjo, Friday (Nov 9) in Pekanbaru, Riau, encouraged the government to involve the community in handling the effects of forest fires and haze that often occur in Sumatra. He said that the community has the awareness to reduce forest burning activities to open land, but needs to get attention so that these changes can take place sustainably. Furthermore, according to him, the Indonesian government also needs to make arrangements related to productivity and share markets of products produced from land clearing without burning. This is an effort to ensure that what is done by the community can be continued in the future.

"The desire of the community to change for the better must be appreciated and should be done sustainably. The implementation of the activities in the field should be carried out on scientific rules and in accordance with the applicable rules and not only make momentary satisfaction. The resolution of the fire problem must involve all parties and also should not burden the community" said Bambang Sahardjo.

Furthermore Bambang Saharjo said that the Indonesian government also needs to build trust among the community in an effort to increase awareness of fire control efforts. According to him, this can be done by facilitating the Masyarakat Peduli Api (Fire Care Community-MPA) by increasing the capacity and providing more adequate control facilities and infrastructure. He also encouraged that the use of peat land for agricultural activities which had been initiated by the community, can be supported by the government to guarantee product development and marketing efforts. (VOI/ANDY/AHM)