Forestry Protection and Nature Conservation Director General of the Forestry Ministry (PHKA) Darori said here on Wednesday that he had received reports on forest fire hot spots in Jambi, South Sumatra, and Riau Provinces known as the triangle of forest fires in Indonesia, especially in swamp and peat land areas.
"In Jambi, the forest fires hit Muaro District, and three peat land spots at the Berbak National Park conservation area," Darori said after attending the Sumatran Governors` Economic Forum at Manggala Wanabakti building in central Jakarta.
In South Sumatra, hot spots were detected in Musi Banyuasin District.
Besides Sumatra, the forestry ministry has also received reports on forest and plantation fires in West and Central Kalimantan Provinces. "But, the number is small," he said.
In general, fires in peat land area were set intentionally. "The fires are due to illegal logging, plantations, and land clearing for agriculture," he said.
The fire that razed around 8,000 hectares of Kerinci Seblat National Park in Jambi Province, was also human induced.
The government has emphasized preventive measures by urging the community not to use fire as land clearing methods.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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