Enviro News Asia, Ogan Komering Ilir — Environment Minister and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) Moh Jumhur Hidayat has inspected peatland rewetting infrastructure in Simpang Tiga District, Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra, as part of efforts to restore water management and prevent recurring forest and land fires.
During the visit on Sunday, November 1, the minister was accompanied by National Peatland and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN) Head Satyawan Pudyatmoko and South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru. They inspected the operation of a water-flow reversal system designed to keep peatland ecosystems wet throughout the dry season.
Jumhur stressed the government’s commitment to prioritizing prevention through locally implemented innovations.
“Community cooperation must continue to be strengthened, not only in firefighting but also in prevention efforts. One such initiative is developing innovative peatland rewetting systems by utilizing river flows, pumps, and canal blocks. We hope this system can be expanded sustainably to significantly reduce the risk of future forest and land fires,” he said during the inspection.
Edy Nugroho Santoso, Director of Peatland Ecosystem Protection and Management at KLH/BPLH, explained the technical operation of the system.
Water from the Lumpur River flows by gravity over a distance of 13 kilometers before being transferred through a relay system using four pumps, each with a capacity of one million liters per hour. Operating for 20 hours a day, the pumps distribute water through canals and small ditches to reach the target rewetting area, extending up to 23 kilometers.
The water supply is used not only to rewet peatlands but also to support firefighting operations. Through a distribution network that channels water into non-canal areas using small ditches, the system is expected to improve rewetting efficiency and extend coverage to surrounding peatland areas.
The inspection also included checks of pumps and rewetting canals, as well as a demonstration of peatland firefighting pumps conducted with the Water Management Team of PT Bumi Mekar Hijau.
Officials also introduced the Sambunesia Pump, an innovation developed by Sambusir. The equipment features three nozzle functions: extinguishing surface fires, directing water into peat layers, and spraying water through a sprinkler system.
Minister Recognizes Fire Awareness Community Efforts
After inspecting the peatland rewetting system, Jumhur visited Penyandingan Village in Tulung Selapan District to meet and hold discussions with members of the Fire Awareness Community (MPA).
The meeting provided an opportunity to hear directly about the experiences, challenges, and needs of personnel working on the front lines of forest and land fire response.
More than 100 MPA members actively participated in firefighting operations for over 50 days, from September 5 to October 26, 2026. They faced various challenges, including limited water supplies, difficult access to fire locations, intense heat, and the specific characteristics of peatlands that require specialized handling.
Through the dedication of the personnel and cross-sector cooperation, firefighting operations successfully contained and addressed fires across approximately 2,000 hectares.
“We express our appreciation and gratitude to all parties, including Manggala Agni, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Military, the National Police, local governments, volunteers, and Fire Awareness Communities, for their hard work in tackling forest and land fires,” Jumhur said.
To support the physical well-being of personnel who had been involved in prolonged operations, KLH/BPLH also organized health examinations for MPA members and local residents to help address fatigue and potential health impacts from smoke exposure.
Strengthening Peatland Governance and Regional Preparedness
Jumhur reiterated that stronger cross-sector coordination and preparedness at the local level are essential to addressing the threat of forest and land fires sustainably.
BPGMN Head Satyawan Pudyatmoko outlined technical measures to improve peatland ecosystem management.
“We continue to strengthen coordination and align efforts between central and regional governments to ensure that forest and land fire prevention and response programs are implemented in a concrete and targeted manner. One of our priorities is to strengthen the role of villages as the front line of fire control through priority-area mapping and the inventory and improvement of peatland rewetting infrastructure, including canal blocks and deep wells, particularly in critical peatland areas,” Satyawan said.
South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru welcomed the direction and reaffirmed the regional government’s commitment to strengthening forest and land fire control. He cautioned that authorities must remain vigilant even though rainfall had begun in several parts of the province.
“We must not become complacent even though rain has started to fall. Based on the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) forecast, dry weather could return, so forest and land fire management efforts must continue,” Herman said while accompanying the minister.
The government is continuing to strengthen fire prevention and control through water-management technology, weather modification operations, and improved preparedness in fire-prone areas.
These comprehensive measures are considered essential to protecting communities’ living environments and conserving ecosystems, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita national priorities and the Indonesia Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful (ASRI) Movement, with the aim of creating a safe and sustainable environment for future generations. (*)
