Enviro News Asia, Riau — Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires(APHI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration in preventing forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau, amid rising risks during the 2026 dry season.
The commitment was highlighted during the Fire Preparedness Roll Call and Coordination Meeting held in Dumai on 26 April 2026. Initiated by the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency, the event aimed to consolidate national efforts by aligning the roles of central and regional governments, security forces, businesses, and local communities in fire-prone areas.
APHI Chairman Soewarso emphasized that forestry businesses must enhance preparedness through concrete actions on the ground. He stressed the importance of integrated patrols, strengthening the role of community-based fire groups (Masyarakat Peduli Api/MPA), and improving cross-sector coordination.
“Field readiness must be tangible, not merely administrative. All operational units must ensure personnel, equipment, and rapid response systems are fully prepared at all times,” he stated.
He further underlined that early detection remains a critical strategy, requiring increased patrol frequency and monitoring of high-risk areas to prevent fires before they escalate.
At the regional level, APHI Riau Chapter Head Muller Tampubolon noted that coordination with local authorities and stakeholders continues to be intensified. He highlighted the importance of community engagement through education and awareness campaigns to reduce land-burning practices.
“We continue to encourage active participation from concession holders and surrounding communities. Strengthening fire brigades, optimizing MPA roles, and utilizing real-time hotspot monitoring technology are key components of our preparedness strategy,” he said.
Through its participation in the coordination forum, APHI reaffirmed its support for government-led fire prevention efforts. Strong collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, and communities is expected to build a more effective, sustainable fire management system, while safeguarding the environment, public health, and regional economic stability. (*)
