Minister backs student-led peatland protection program ahead of fire season

During a workshop on the creation of the National Peat and Mangrove Management Agency, Yuliarto presented a proposal to Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni to make the next year’s thematic community-service (KKN) program centered on peatland protection. He indicated that the KKN could be directed to six provinces, enabling students to enter peatland zones before the onset of the fire-prone season, with mobilization expected around June.

By involving universities—through lecturers, laboratories, and research outputs—the initiative aims to apply academic knowledge to on-the-ground peatland management and strengthen community service. Yuliarto also suggested linking the effort with the Transmigration Ministry’s Patriot Expedition Team (TEP), which in 2026 deployed 1,476 participants across 53 areas, partnered with ten universities, and received a budget increase to Rp226 billion.

Data from the Higher Education, Science, and Technology Ministry show roughly 10.75 million registered students, 31.1 percent of whom study STEM fields. The proposal remains pending, with no details yet on the specific provinces or participating institutions.