Indonesia pushes firms to help rewet peatlands and boost fire-fighting gear

During a wildfire-mitigation meeting in Palembang, the Environment Ministry stressed that regional governments and local communities must actively rewet peatlands and expand firefighting capacity. The governor of South Sumatra is set to issue a directive requiring local administrations and relevant parties to coordinate with residents on building canal blocks and deploying pumps to lower fire risk. The ministry has identified specific sites for these interventions and has engaged 43 companies holding concession permits, which have pledged to help construct canal blocks and provide centrifugal pumps to draw river water.

Legal action continues against entities suspected of breaching forest-fire regulations, with facilities of 57 companies sealed across Indonesia, including 12 in South Sumatra. Officials affirmed that ongoing investigations will pursue further violations. The coordinated effort aims to curb future wildfire outbreaks in peat-rich areas.