Environment Minister: Kalimantan Alert on Forest and Land Fire

By: Ulul Maskuriah

Banjarmasin, (Antaranews, South Kalimantan) - Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya said Kalimantan now is on alert status for forest and land fires.

Kambuaya was in Banjarmasin, on Monday, when he said the haze attack from burning forests and land in Sumatra and Kalimantan usually occurs in July and August, so at that point all relevant parties should be vigilant.

"Preparation faces smog attack used to be in July-August, apparently in Sumatra it earlier than usual," he said.

He asked the provincial and district governments to prepare field workers has been formed. Do not be, he added, there are companies who do the burning land for plantation, agriculture and others.

Likewise people should be more careful in the act, not to throw away anything that cause forest fires and land indiscriminately.

"Especially on peatlands, which are usually highly flammable, and when it caught fire, the fire will be difficult to extinguish," he said.

The arrival of the Minister of Environment to Banjarmasin, in order to attend a  2013 scientific weekend for national accounting and emissions testing in Depo Pertamina Kuin Banjarmasin. Minister also visited the District of South Hulu Sungai in order to launch WWTP (IPAL) management in a boarding school in the area.

Head of South Kalimantan Forestry Agency, Rakhmadi Kurdi, said until now forest and land in South Kalimantan is still relatively under control and no smog.