After a study visit on fire prevention and peatland management in Central Kalimantan, the Kubu Raya Forest Management Unit (KPH) conducted a meeting to evaluate the study tour results and to determine further steps for the Forest Fire Brigade (Brigade Karhutla) on April 16 in Pontianak. The meeting held at KPH Kubu Raya Office was attended by Brigade Karhutla and Kubu Raya staff, and accompanied by an Integrated Fire Management Expert from the consulting firm EcoConsult, supported by GIZ.

Lessons learned from the study tour included: a sign board  indicating the height of peat water as an indicator of drought; techniques in constructing a well to provide water supply during fires; agroforestry techniques to optimize peatland management and early warning communication systems.

Inputs from the meeting include improving the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). In addition, further plans are to synergize the Kubu Raya KPH program with the district government, preparing sign boards for early warning, just as demonstration plots of agroforestry systems on peatland by combining forest trees and seasonal crops to increase the community’s economic income.

For more information, please contact:
Jumtani, Province Coordinator West Kalimantan
Udi Tyastoto, Integrated Fires Management Expert, EcoConsult.