Professor of IPB University: Predicted Area of Forest Fires by 2019 Beyond 2018
It's like a pattern of life, the issue of forest fires every year must always surface. This unremitting issue attracted a lot of attention from various parties, especially academics. Professional Association of Resource and Environmental Economics Student Association (REESA) from the Department of Environmental Resource Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, IPB University held a study forum entitled Green Generation in Discussion of Environmental and Agricultural Economics (Greentea) at Dramaga Campus, Bogor, Thursday (25 / 9).
Greentea II took the theme "Forest Fires, Continuous Issues that Never Go Out" and invited two practitioners in the field of handling forest fires. Professor of the Faculty of Forestry of IPB University, Prof. Bambang Hero Saharjo, and investigators of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) who are also alumni of IPB University, Ardi Yusuf, SHut, MAgr.
Prof. Bambang is an expert on forest fires and has worked in this field for more than 20 years. Prof. Bambang said that the impact of forest fires not only affects nature, but also social, economic impacts, and even relations between countries.
"The most feared impact is of course the impact on health. In 2015, Palangkaraya found yellow smoke. After investigation, it was discovered that there were 90 gases detected in smoke, 50 of which were toxic gases. Now it is being investigated which part of the fire produced toxic gas, "said Prof. Bambang.
Furthermore, Prof. Bambang said, in 2006, Indonesia's carbon emissions due to forest fires was ranked 3rd. In 2015, Indonesia's greenhouse gas emissions exceeded those of Germany and Japan. It is predicted, the number of forests burned this year will exceed the number in 2018, which is 510,504 hectares.
Several attempts to tackle forest fires have also been carried out. One of them is providing education to school-age children. "We do education from elementary school children. They are very enthusiastic, "explained Prof. Bambang. Not only in the field of education, agriculture is often carried out like planting pineapple in peat areas. In addition, the maker of electric power plants was also developed. This tool can produce electricity of seven megawatts and is made from raw materials that are usually burned.
On the other hand, Ardi Yusuf discussed this issue from a legal standpoint. As an investigator, Ardi said that law enforcement for forest fire suspects was good enough. "Since 2001, we have already fined the company. Although many have not paid the penalty, but the enforcement is quite good. The question is, why is this incident still repeating? "Asked Ardi to the audience.
Ardi admitted, although law enforcement was good, the implementation was not yet sufficiently integrated. For example, peatland conditions that are not fully wet can trigger forest fires.
Finally, Prof. Bambang and Ardi advised, as academics must care about real action. Don't be a prisoner who can only criticize the efforts of governments and agencies. Prove it, and implement knowledge directly in the field. (ASK / ris)
