Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has ordered regional governments to prohibit land clearing through burning as the country faces an increased risk of forest and land fires amid a strong El Niño climate pattern.
The ministry issued Circular Letter No. 16 of 2026 on August 10, calling on governors, regents, and mayors across Indonesia to take immediate preventive measures against forest and land fires, known locally as karhutla.
The policy follows climate monitoring indicating that a strong El Niño event has been underway since July 2026 and could intensify dry conditions across large parts of Indonesia.
Environment Minister and Head of the Environmental Control Agency Moh Jumhur Hidayat said authorities would not tolerate land clearing practices involving fire, stressing the need to protect the environment, public health, and economic activities from the impacts of uncontrolled fires.
The circular instructs regional governments to establish clear prohibitions on land clearing by burning and review or suspend local regulations that could allow the practice.
Authorities are also expected to enforce administrative penalties, fines, and criminal sanctions against violations in accordance with prevailing environmental regulations.
The ministry has called for stronger coordination among local environmental agencies, disaster management authorities, forestry agencies, the Indonesian Armed Forces, and the National Police. The coordinated measures include integrated patrols, public awareness campaigns, monitoring, and increased surveillance in fire-prone areas.
Particular attention has been directed toward peatlands, where authorities are instructed to regularly monitor groundwater levels, maintain canal-blocking infrastructure, and implement rewetting measures when conditions become highly vulnerable to fire.
The government has also urged companies holding business permits in fire-prone areas to strengthen their preparedness and response capacity. Communities are expected to be actively involved through local forest and land fire response teams.
The ministry said the continued use of fire for land clearing can contribute to hazardous smoke pollution, ecosystem degradation, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
The government’s latest directive is based on Indonesia’s environmental protection framework, including provisions under Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management.
KLH/BPLH warned that violations of the prohibition could result in criminal prosecution under applicable laws.
The policy comes as Indonesia enters a period of heightened climate and fire risk. Strengthening prevention, peatland management, early detection, and law enforcement will be critical to limiting the environmental, health, and economic impacts of forest and land fires during the ongoing dry conditions. (*)
