Govt targets three hotspots in restoration drive

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment (KLH) is prioritizing a national environmental restoration movement in three provinces most vulnerable to forest and land fires, including Riau, West Kalimantan, and South Sumatra.

“Our three highest priority fire-prone areas are Riau, particularly Pelalawan District, West Kalimantan, especially Kubu Raya, and South Sumatra,” Environment Minister Moh Jumhur Hidayat said in Jakarta on Friday.

He also stated that the government, in collaboration with various stakeholders, including businesses, communities, local leaders, and religious leaders, has carried out revegetation efforts, including tree planting and peatland restoration, across several critical areas throughout Indonesia.

“The latest report from the Ministry of Forestry showed that around 400,000 hectares of degraded land have been replanted, and in this context, we aim to launch a national environmental restoration movement,” Jumhur said, adding that the government invites corporations, community organizations, and all parties to work together to restore the environment by planting, for example, two billion trees in areas prone to fire.

Related news: Indonesia promotes mangrove restoration to heal environment

Jumhur also emphasized the importance of on-the-ground collaboration among stakeholders to prevent forest and land fires. The ministry also held a working meeting on Friday with around 400 companies holding concessions in peatland areas.

The companies holding concessions in peatland, says the minister, have responsibilities to protect the forests.

Jumhur invited all stakeholders to work together on the preventive measures.

The ministry has designated Muaro Jambi in Jambi, Pelalawan in Riau, Ogan Komering Ilir in South Sumatra, and Kubu Raya in West Kalimantan as the highest priority areas for peatland rewetting and hydrological monitoring.

The ministry said dozens of Groundwater Levels (TMAT) monitoring points in these areas recorded between 40 and 80 cm below the surface, within a vulnerable range that could increase the risk of forest and land fires.

Related news: BNPB reports no fatalities in fires across three provinces

Translator: Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari, Cindy Frishanti Octa

Editor: Bayu Prasetyo

Copyright © ANTARA 2026