Peatland Fire Mitigation in Central Kalimantan

Grant Agreements Nr. WGP2 03 gpi 61

Agreement holder: WI-Indonesia Programme

Country/region: Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Activity period: 01/08/2002 - 30/09/2002

Documentation and products available:

Background:
The forest fires in Central Kalimantan in 2002 constituted the province's biggest environmental disaster since a similar disaster in 1997.
The fires in 2002 occurred mostly in peatlands, particularly also in the area of the discontinued million-hectare Mega Rice Project, parts of Palangka Raya (such as Tumbang Nusa), as well as at a number of plantations and forests concession areas. They threatened in terms of biodiversity one of the most important peatland areas of Indonesia, with the largest remaining Orang Utan population (estimated at 5000 animals). In addition, the fires had a significant impact on human health and were destroying important natural resources which provide an important income source of the local communities. The fires caused thick smoke-haze which persisted continuously for a whole month (mainly September), resulting in serious disruption to transportation services (land, water and air transport). The Tjilik Riwut airport in Palangka Raya, for example, was unable to operate for more than a month, with the result that all air traffic had to be diverted to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Another consequence of the fires was the high level of air pollution which posed a serious hazard to human health.
Partners:
NGOs:
LPLHKT, Lembaga Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup
Kalimantan Tengah
Mitra Insani,
Betang Borneo,
Mapala Comodo Unpar,
Wamakre Universitas Palangka Raya
WWF- Central Kalimantan
Forum Hijau

Local communities:
Kalampangan,
Pilang
Jabiren villages,
Satkorlak
Government agencies:
Provincial fire brigade
Fire-fighting Team from BKSDA
Fire-fighting Team Public Works Office
Palangka Raya City Fire Brigade
Mines Office of Central Kalimantan

Several groups were trying to fight the fires, including CIMTROP (see report GPI 59). The Global Peatland Initiative was approached for emergency funding by Wetlands International-Indonesia, who coordinated and focused their activities on other areas than CIMTROP.

Brief project description:
Wetlands International-Indonesia, supported with funds from both the Global Peatland Initiative (financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs/DGIS) and CIDA (under the Climate Change, Forests and Peatlands in Indonesia project in Central Kalimantan) provided assistance to those parties directly involved in putting out the fires in the field and to health care for communities directly affected by the disaster. Funding was used to purchase fire-fighting equipment (water pumps and plastic hoses), transport (including fuel), food and medicines for the fire-fighters in the field, and support for health services for people in the area of Palangka Raya. Health services were provided at two locations.

Wetlands International's site coordinator in Central Kalimantan in coordination with local NGOs organized the fire fighting units. Tasks included:

  1. Identifying people (including local people), groups and/or agencies to be involved directly and indirectly in the fire fighting actions at each site;
  2. Two large groups were formed, including a Supporting Team and a Fire Fighting Team. The Supporting Team organized the mobilisation of the members of the Fire Fighting Teams to the fire areas, as well as the distribution of food, drinks, medicines, masks and other equipment. The FFT would thus be able to concentrate on the suppression the fires areas.
  3. The Support Team was also responsible for the administration of people involved, maintaining lists of people involved in the fire fighting and ensuring that the activities were closely monitored. This also involved decision making on shifting people between different locations as and when necessary.
  4. During the fire fighting attention was paid to awareness raising of local communities, and public at large, by reaching to and through the local press.

Results:

Expected
Outputs and Results achieved
Objectives and results:
  • In coordination with other fire fighting activities in Central Kalimantan, to contribute to surpressing fires in the key peatswamp forest of the Sebangau area.
  • Good demonstration of fire fighting success, to raise awareness on the potential of effective commuity action to stop these disasters.
  • Develop a basis for forest fire prevention and mitigation in the future
Direct actions: WI-IP's in coordination with local NGOs (LPLHKT and CIMTROP) organise groups of fire fighters in key areas. Tasks will include:
  1. Identifying local people, groups and agencies to be involved directly and indirectly in the fire fighting actions at each key site;
  2. Establishment of a supporting team/ST and a fire fighting team/FFT.
  3. Mobilization and coordination of local fire fighting groups to the fire areas,
  4. Organisation of logistics, incl. supply of water pumps, food, drinks, medicines, masks.
  5. Fire surpression
  6. Monitoring. Shifting people between locations in relation to shifting hot spots.
  7. Publicity for awareness raising
Achieved
The following forms of support were provided by CCFPI-WI Central Kalimantan to the relevant parties:
  • Organisation and financial support of logistics for the Field Fire-fighting Team and other helpers, including food, drinks, petrol and lubricants for the team?s transportation, and fire-fighting (water pumps) equipment for use in the field;
  • Organisation of the multi-stakeholder fire-fighting team involving local NGOs (Mitra Insani, Betang Borneo, Mapala Comodo Unpar, Wamakre Universitas Palangka Raya), the communities of Kalampangan, Pilang and Jabiren villages, fire-fighting team from Satkorlak provincial fire brigade, the Fire-fighting Team from BKSDA (Balai Konservasi dan Sumber Daya Alam) of Central Kalimantan Province, the Fire-fighting Team of the Public Works Office of Central Kalimantan Province, the Palangka Raya City Fire Brigade, and a Team from the Mines Office of Central Kalimantan Province. On average, the number of helpers ranged from 30 to 50 persons per day);
  • Organisation of medical support to fire-fighting teams and support for mobile health services for communities affected directly by the haze (in cooperation with WWF and Forum Hijau communities); The project provided health services to 332 people, 40% young children (< 12 years old), 15% older children (12-19 yrs) and 45% adults (20-60 years old) around the Kereng Bengkirai and Bukit Batu villages.
  • From a total of 977 hotspots which appeared in Sept 2002, about 129 (13%) were extinguished.
  • The project was able to raise the awareness of various stakeholders in Central Kalimantan as shown from the number of government agencies, local communities, university students and NGOs involved in the work.
  • The project was widely covered by both local (the Dayak Post in 3 September) and national newspapers (the Media Indonesia in 7 September) and TV-news (RCTI)
Evaluation
The project was very successful, despite many constraints. It achieved its major aims. It contributed significantly to safeguarding large areas of pristine peat swamp forests of the ?biodiversity hotspot Sebangau? from destruction by fire by extinguishing fires in a large number of strategically selected areas. The project was also successful in enhancing coordination between various fire fighting teams in Kalimantan and involving local communities in these actions. The project team was able to establish excellent cooperation with the communities, particularly also by attending to their primary needs such as health care. The project is followed up by GPI 64, and by a number of other local projects.

Number of Hotspots and those successfully extinguished in September 2002 (by Wetlands International in central Kalimantan)


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last update: 20/07/04