Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has stated that it will take strict action against illegal loggers to prevent forest fires.

"Law enforcement against them should not be carried out only after forest fires occur. As soon as illegal logging is suspected, we will conduct operations," said Laksmi Dhewanthi, the Director-General for Climate Change Control at KLHK, during the online event "FMB9: Anticipating Forest and Land Fires" held in Jakarta on Monday.

In response to the widespread illegal logging in various regions, Laksmi stated that KLHK will take enforcement measures with a focus on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).

According to her, SFM is implemented to maintain and improve the economic, social, and environmental values of forest resources for the benefit of the present and future generations.

She mentioned that they are coordinating with law enforcement agencies to take action against illegal loggers.

KLHK also seeks intelligence assistance to gather various types of information, including the financiers of these illegal activities.

"We have working groups that help handle cases like this," she added.

KLHK and local environmental services are also building a database to monitor the movement of timber in a particular region.

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Translator: Hreeloita D S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Anton Santoso
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