Enviro News Asia, Palembang — Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) is stepping up forest and land fire suppression and peatland rewetting efforts in South Sumatra, including the deployment of water pumps and plans to improve water distribution in fire-prone areas.
Vice Minister of Environment and Vice Head of KLH/BPLH Diaz Hendropriyono inspected two peatland fire locations in Talang Kelapa District, Palembang, on October 7, 2026. The sites included areas near plantations and residential neighborhoods.
During the visit, Diaz reviewed ongoing prevention and suppression measures, including weather modification operations and aerial water bombing. He stressed that these efforts must be supported by continuous ground operations to address fires more comprehensively.
“Weather modification operations and water bombing have been coordinated, although some challenges remain. Fire prevention measures are also underway, but continuous ground suppression is necessary. I hope the water pumps can be used effectively,” Diaz said.
KLH/BPLH provided five water pumps to support firefighting in Palembang. The equipment was handed over to local government representatives, the South Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and community fire-awareness groups. Diaz also distributed masks to residents living near the affected areas.
Beyond immediate suppression, the ministry is promoting measures to prevent fires from recurring, particularly by maintaining water levels in dried peatlands. One proposed measure involves constructing canal blocks to retain water and improve peatland hydrology.
Diaz explained that water could be drawn from nearby rivers and directed into canals in fire-prone concession areas. Centrifugal pumps would help transfer water to canals where existing water levels are insufficient.
“We need to raise groundwater levels in peatlands that are currently experiencing dry conditions by building canal blocks. Where canals lack sufficient water, we can draw water from nearby rivers and pump it into canals in fire-prone concession areas,” Diaz said.
Following the site inspection, Diaz chaired a coordination meeting on forest and land fire management in South Sumatra involving 43 private companies holding concessions in areas where hotspots had been detected.
He urged the companies to participate in developing infrastructure to support canal blocking and peatland rewetting. KLH/BPLH would provide technical assistance to identify suitable locations for pump installations and related infrastructure.
“We have brought the companies together to build this infrastructure, rewet peatlands and bring water in from rivers. We have presented locations where these pumps could be installed, and the ministry will provide technical support,” Diaz said.
The initiative combines immediate firefighting with longer-term prevention measures. Ground-based suppression, water-pump deployment and improved peatland water management are intended to reduce the risk of fires recurring in vulnerable areas.
The visit was attended by South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru, Palembang Mayor Ratu Dewa, South Sumatra Environmental and Land Agency Head Herdi Apriansyah, South Sumatra BPBD Executive Head M. Iqbal Alisyahbana, and KLH/BPLH Senior Adviser for International Relations and Environmental Diplomacy Erik Teguh Primiantoro. (*)
