The Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia has designated PT Sukses Tani Nusasubur (STN), a subsidiary of PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (AAL), as a pilot company for implementing consolidated forest and land fire control (karhutla) in East Kalimantan.
This announcement was made during the company’s preparedness consolidation activity for forest and land fire control, which took place on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the PT STN Football Field. The event was attended virtually via video conference by the Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.
Minister Hanif expressed his appreciation to the companies that have fulfilled their obligations for forest fire control in a systematic manner. He emphasized that all plantation companies must adhere to fire risk management standards.
“The number of hotspot points in East Kalimantan has significantly decreased due to local government policies and corporate support. However, enforcement will be applied to companies that fail to meet their environmental responsibilities in accordance with the applicable regulations,” Minister Hanif stated.
He pointed out that controlling forest and land fires is a legal obligation, as outlined in the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number 32 of 2016, which pertains to the Control of Forest and Land Fires. This regulation mandates plantation companies to establish documented fire prevention, reporting, and response systems.
During the event, the company detailed the fire prevention measures implemented in its plantation area. Dian Ary Kurniawan, Climate & Conservation Management Manager at Astra Agro Lestari, explained that the fire control system developed by the company is based on four main pillars.
The first pillar is prevention, which involves mapping fire-prone areas using historical hotspot data and community activity patterns. “We complement mapping with an early warning system to monitor fire risks in real-time,” Dian said.
The second pillar is preparedness, which includes regular training for the internal team, conducting fire simulations, constructing watch towers, and providing backup water sources at strategic locations. “Preparedness is not only about equipment, but also about ensuring that personnel understand the procedures in an emergency situation,” he added.
Quick response is the third pillar. Dian mentioned that field patrols are regularly conducted for early detection of fire incidents. “When a fire point is identified, the Fire Brigade team is deployed with water pumps, manual firefighting equipment, and field communication support,” he explained, addressing Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq and East Kalimantan Governor, Rudy Mas’ud.
Additionally, the company utilizes Vertical Take-Off and Landing (V-TOL) drones for visual monitoring during the dry season.
The fourth pillar focuses on community partnerships, involving the establishment of three Fire Care Farmer Groups (KTPA) and Fire Care Community Groups (MPA) in Labangka Village, Labangka Barat Village, and Babulu Darat Village. “Joint patrols with KTPA and MPA are routinely conducted to ensure comprehensive supervision,” Dian noted.
During the event, the company introduced its Fire Brigade Team, consisting of special personnel and support staff. An equipment stand showcased various firefighting tools, including high-pressure pumps, hand tools, communication devices, and drones. Technical information about the equipment’s capabilities and usage procedures was also shared with participants.
Dian emphasized that the fire prevention efforts undertaken by the company are not only regulatory obligations but also steps to strengthen multi-party cooperation. “Our approach is designed to ensure that fire management is adaptive, systematic, and involves community participation,” he stated.
The system implemented by the company includes mapping vulnerable areas, developing an early warning system, conducting regular training, performing routine patrols with the community, utilizing drone monitoring, and providing supporting facilities according to established standards.
East Kalimantan remains classified as a region prone to forest and land fires. According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, there were 455 hotspots across Indonesia in the last 24 hours as of June 29, 2025, with 54 of those hotspots located in East Kalimantan. This makes the province the third highest in the number of hotspots nationally.
Moreover, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that the peak of the dry season in East Kalimantan will occur in August 2025. The anticipated decrease in rainfall and humidity during that period is expected to heighten the risk of land fires.
The central government emphasizes that the preparedness consolidation carried out by plantation companies could serve as a model to be replicated in other fire-prone areas. Through this initiative, controlling forest and land fires is expected to be seen not only as a corporate social responsibility program but also as a legal obligation.
Source: Tribun News Kaltim
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