IPB University Launches Android-based Clean Air and Hotspot Monitoring Application

Recently, IPB University launched an Android-based air monitoring application for PM 2.5, CO2 and hotspot conditions. This application was designed by the Regional Fire Management Resource Center-South East Asia (RFMRC-SEA) together with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) IPB University.

“The presence of the application is expected that the community will easily know the condition of pollutants around their area, especially those originating from forest and land fires (karhutla),” said Prof Bambang Hero Sahardjo, Director of RFMRC-SEA during the launching event at the IPB International Convention Center (IICC).

He added, “If the pollution condition gets worse as shown by the application, it is not impossible that people have to look for safer places, especially for those who are very sensitive to the increase in some of these pollutants.”

On the same occasion, IPB University also gave an appreciation / clean air award for the national level of Sumatra and Kalimantan regions. The award is a form of implementation of cooperation between the Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) IPB University with FIELD Indonesia.

“Appreciation is given to a number of parties who are considered to have succeeded in controlling forest and land fires and helping to create clean air so as to make a better environment,” explained Prof Bambang.

The early stages of determining the criteria and selection process for award recipients involved Senior Behavioural Scientist, Influence at Work (UK) Limited. Prof Bambang also said that awards for district and provincial levels in Sumatra and Kalimantan were given last October.

The national award recipients for the Sumatra region consisted of Andrean (Manggala Agni Daops Sumatera VII/Rengat); Muhammad Nur, SPd (SDN 7 Bandar Laksamana teacher, Fire Care Community of Tanjung Leban Village, Bengkalis Regency, Riau); and Poniman (Regu 2 Manggala Agni Daops Sumatera IX/Jambi).

In Kalimantan, the awards were given to IR H Adi Yani, MH (Head of the Environment and Forestry Service of West Kalimantan Province); Ya Suharnoto, ST, MT (Brigade Commander of Dalkarhutla-Pamhut UPT KPH Kubu Raya Region); and Maemun (Head of The Power of Mama Group, Ketapang, West Kalimantan Province).

The award was given directly by the Vice Rector of IPB University in the field of Global Connectivity, Collaboration and Alumni Relations, accompanied by the Vice Dean of Fahutan, Chairman of the Silviculture Department, Chairman of the Operations Control Center-National Disaster Management Agency (Kapusdalops BNPB), Director of FIELD Indonesia and Director of RFMRC-SEA.

Besides giving appreciation to a number of parties, Fahutan IPB University and FIELD Indonesia also participated in controlling forest and land fires through various actions. Such as monitoring hotspots and forest and land fire incidents every day in Sumatera and Kalimantan. The monitoring results are then inputted into the RFMRC-SEA website. The results of the monitoring are then also conveyed through presentations and discussions as well as going to the field.

Cooperation is also implemented by facilitating training activities for Land Preparation without Burning (PLTB) which are coordinated directly by FIELD Indonesia in areas where forest and land fires often occur. (*/Rz) (IAAS/MKY)