Civil Society Coalition Urges Government Action on Forest Fire Crisis in South Sumatra
Berita Warga 
In a press conference held on Monday, December 18, 2023, the Civil Society Coalition Against Haze in South Sumatra (KMSAASS) has called on local and national authorities to take immediate and decisive measures to prevent future forest and land fires (karhutla) following the significant crisis that struck the province in 2023.
According to data compiled by the coalition, this year"s karhutla has scorched an extensive area reaching 332,283 hectares, with over half of it (53%) occurring in Peat Hydrological Units (KHG). Adiosyafri, the coordinator of KMSAASS, revealed that despite a decrease in the number of hotspots, the burnt land area has increased, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing prevention measures.
Discrepancies in karhutla data have also surfaced, as KMSAASS"s data does not align with the report from the Acting Governor of South Sumatra, M Agus Fatoni, who stated that around 109 thousand hectares of land were burned. Adiosyafri emphasized the need for a comprehensive evaluation of planning, mitigation, and law enforcement measures, including significant budget allocations to address this crisis.
Based on research throughout 2023, the coalition found that human factors, both intentional and unintentional, were the main sources of ignition for karhutla. Vulnerable land conditions, such as dry bush areas and degraded, dry peatlands with poor water management, also contributed to the occurrence of karhutla.
Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) was identified as the most severely affected district, with 63.7% of the total hotspots in South Sumatra, followed by Musi Banyuasin and Banyuasin. The coalition highlighted the significant contribution from plantation and forestry concessions in OKI, accounting for 70.3% of hotspots in the region.
The impact of karhutla is also felt in air quality, particularly in the city of Palembang. On September 15, 2023, the IQair report indicated that the air quality in Palembang reached a "Very Unhealthy" status, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 233 US AQI, ranking it as the most polluted city in Indonesia. A spike in respiratory illness cases was also recorded by the Palembang Health Department.
Yuliusman, a representative from WALHI Sumsel, affirmed that karhutla should be considered an extraordinary environmental crime, given its annual occurrence and the difficulty in resolving it.
KMSAASS, consisting of ten civil society organizations in South Sumatra, has formed the coalition since June 2023, focusing on environmental conservation, law enforcement, human rights, and public services. Their call highlights the crucial need for coordinated action to protect the environment and the well-being of the people of South Sumatra.
According to data compiled by the coalition, this year"s karhutla has scorched an extensive area reaching 332,283 hectares, with over half of it (53%) occurring in Peat Hydrological Units (KHG). Adiosyafri, the coordinator of KMSAASS, revealed that despite a decrease in the number of hotspots, the burnt land area has increased, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing prevention measures.
Discrepancies in karhutla data have also surfaced, as KMSAASS"s data does not align with the report from the Acting Governor of South Sumatra, M Agus Fatoni, who stated that around 109 thousand hectares of land were burned. Adiosyafri emphasized the need for a comprehensive evaluation of planning, mitigation, and law enforcement measures, including significant budget allocations to address this crisis.
Based on research throughout 2023, the coalition found that human factors, both intentional and unintentional, were the main sources of ignition for karhutla. Vulnerable land conditions, such as dry bush areas and degraded, dry peatlands with poor water management, also contributed to the occurrence of karhutla.
Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) was identified as the most severely affected district, with 63.7% of the total hotspots in South Sumatra, followed by Musi Banyuasin and Banyuasin. The coalition highlighted the significant contribution from plantation and forestry concessions in OKI, accounting for 70.3% of hotspots in the region.
The impact of karhutla is also felt in air quality, particularly in the city of Palembang. On September 15, 2023, the IQair report indicated that the air quality in Palembang reached a "Very Unhealthy" status, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 233 US AQI, ranking it as the most polluted city in Indonesia. A spike in respiratory illness cases was also recorded by the Palembang Health Department.
Yuliusman, a representative from WALHI Sumsel, affirmed that karhutla should be considered an extraordinary environmental crime, given its annual occurrence and the difficulty in resolving it.
KMSAASS, consisting of ten civil society organizations in South Sumatra, has formed the coalition since June 2023, focusing on environmental conservation, law enforcement, human rights, and public services. Their call highlights the crucial need for coordinated action to protect the environment and the well-being of the people of South Sumatra.
