Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, together with relevant ministries and agencies, held a coordination meeting and launched the Coordination Desk for Forest and Land Fire (Karhutla) Management to address the threat of wildfires.
At a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs office, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, General Police (Ret.) Budi Gunawan, stated that the formation of the Karhutla Coordination Desk was in line with the directive of President Prabowo Subianto.
The Coordinating Minister expressed hope that with this desk, Indonesia could achieve zero forest and land fires while building a strong mitigation and prevention system. “Forest fires not only have environmental impacts but also geopolitical consequences in the region,” said the Minister on Thursday (February 13, 2025).
In response to the launch, Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni expressed his highest appreciation to the Coordinating Minister and his team, as well as the leaders of ministries and agencies, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (POLRI), the Attorney General’s Office, and governors.
“We congratulate the Coordinating Minister and his team on the launch of the Karhutla Coordination Desk, as well as all parties for their facilitation and collaboration, which has been well established in efforts to control forest and land fires (Karhutla),” said the Minister of Forestry during the coordination meeting.
The leading sectors of the Karhutla Coordination Desk include the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Minister of Forestry, the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Chief of Police, and the Minister of Environment.
Minister Raja Antoni stated that the launch of the Karhutla Coordination Desk serves as both a momentum and a national asset in addressing the triple planetary crisis: climate change, environmental degradation and pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Therefore, anticipating forest and land fires is crucial through strong coordination between central and regional elements.
The Minister of Forestry provided an example, stating that with proper anticipation from all parties, in 2024—which was a weak El Niño – La Niña period—there was a reduction in the total burned area by approximately 784,387.86 hectares (68%) compared to 2023, which experienced a moderate-strong El Niño period. Compared to the 2019 baseline, the reduction was even higher, reaching approximately 1,272,452.52 hectares (77%).
“Lessons learned from the success of Karhutla management in 2024 include collaboration, strong leadership, prevention, law enforcement, and timely Weather Modification Operations (OMC),” said Minister Raja Antoni.
He also stated that based on Karhutla analysis, there is a shifting trend of forest and land fires toward Eastern Indonesia, including Nusa Tenggara, South Papua, East Java, and Maluku. This shift increases the crisis potential, as the risk of Karhutla remains high in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
To anticipate this, the Ministry of Forestry has already deployed field teams for patrols, prevention, and fire suppression efforts in 2025.
The ministry has also mobilized Manggala Agni (forest fire brigade), Forest Rangers (Polhut), and Community Fire Control Groups (MPA) to handle Karhutla. These field actions are being carried out under the “Ramadan Alert” program, ensuring that during the holy month of Ramadan, Ministry of Forestry teams remain vigilant against Karhutla.
In line with this, BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) forecast data indicates that although some regions are still experiencing the rainy season, hotspots have begun to emerge in several areas. ***
