"In 2016, there has been a drastic decrease of up to 76 percent in the number of such cases," the minister said on the home affairs ministrys website, Tuesday.
The significant drop was a result of the hard work of regional heads and security personnel, and was also attributed to the enhanced awareness on the part of plantation companies managers, he added.
Integrated and early fire detection and extinguishing systems have also been applied up to the rural area level.
Village chiefs in eight areas, where local customs allowed slash and burn farming methods, were able to adopt new ways, thanks to the governments public awareness campaign.
The role played by the regional governments, supported by the military, the police, various companies and the community, proved crucial to tackling the problem, Kumolo stated.
"In addition to the active role played by the state apparatus and the community, involving timber plantation concession holders (HTI) helped put in place important preventive measures," he noted.
The National Police claimed that they handled 105 forest fire cases across Indonesia up to August 2016.
In 2015, the National Police had handled 275 forest fire cases, including those involving nine companies that are still under the investigation process.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
