Enviro News Asia, Kubu Raya — The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), through the Environmental Law Enforcement Team, has sealed approximately 200 hectares of previously burned land in Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan.
This measure was taken in response to land fires that triggered an increase in hotspots and a decline in air quality in the region.
The sealing action serves as evidence of environmental law enforcement. It was carried out in two locations: Pematang Tujuh Village, Rasau Jaya District, and Punggur Besar Village, Sungai Kakap District.
The sealed land directly borders the concession area of PT Putralirik Domas, separated by a six-meter-wide canal.
The sealing operation was led directly by the Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment, Police Inspector General Rizal Irawan, accompanied by the Director of Environmental Complaints and Supervision, Ardyanto Nugroho, Kubu Raya Police Chief, Manggala Agni of the Kalimantan Region, Rasau Jaya Military Commander, and the West Kalimantan Provincial Environmental Agency.
According to a written report from PT Putralirik Domas to the Village Head of Pematang Tujuh, with copies sent to the Rasau Jaya Military Command and Rasau Jaya Police, the fire was first detected on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 3:27 PM local time.
Firefighting efforts continued until the early hours of Saturday, August 2, 2025, aided by rainfall that helped extinguish the last hotspots.
The sealing was conducted due to strong indications of land clearing through burning, a violation of environmental regulations.
The Ministry emphasized that this effort is part of the government’s commitment to strictly sanction business actors who fail to fulfill their responsibilities in air pollution control and fire prevention.
“We will continue to take firm action against similar violations in other areas,” asserted Police Inspector General Rizal Irawan.
Furthermore, the KLH/BPLH will hand over the legal proceedings regarding the suspected criminal act of land burning to the West Kalimantan Regional Police.
The government also reminded all companies to increase vigilance during the dry season and ensure that all fire prevention and control systems—including personnel readiness and infrastructure—are fully operational.
“We urge all companies to take their fire control obligations seriously. When a fire occurs, we don’t just look at the burned area, but also the prior commitments and concrete steps that have been taken,” concluded Ardyanto Nugroho. (*)
