RRI.CO.ID, Jambi - The Jambi Provincial Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has officially integrated 15 members of the Orang Rimba indigenous community, also known as Suku Anak Dalam (SAD), into its frontline forest and land fire prevention task force. These individuals, hailing from the Batang Hari and Sarolangun Regencies, are now tasked with safeguarding Jambi’s vulnerable forest landscapes against the escalating threats of seasonal fires.

The Head of Preparedness at BPBD Jambi, Ismael, emphasized that the selection of the Orang Rimba was a deliberate choice based on their deep-rooted proximity to fire-prone forest areas. He noted that the urgency of this collaboration is heightened by the current climate crisis, which has created a stark environmental irony.

"Climate change has presented a visible irony before our eyes. While some areas struggle with flash floods due to extreme rainfall, other sectors are simultaneously haunted by the threat of forest and land fires," said Ismael in a written release on Monday, April 27, 2026.

For the Orang Rimba, the stakes of forest fires extend far beyond mere environmental statistics. The destruction of the ecosystem leads to the loss of vital food sources while the resulting smoke haze triggers severe health crises.

As reported by Antara, experts point out that fires often originate outside indigenous territories and encroach upon their roaming grounds, leaving these forest-dependent groups exceptionally vulnerable. Consequently, providing the Orang Rimba with modern firefighting techniques is seen not just as an ecological necessity, but as a vital protection of their fundamental rights and survival.

The training program seeks to harmonize the community's profound traditional wisdom with modern technical standards. Participants were trained in rapid fire detection and suppression, as well as emergency medical scenarios for handling injuries in the field.

Given their presence deep within the landscapes of Bukit Tigapuluh and Bukit Duabelas National Parks, these indigenous members are positioned to be the first responders capable of detecting hotspots before they escalate into uncontrollable blazes.

Beyond physical firefighting, the initiative ensures that the Orang Rimba are linked to a wider administrative network for faster response times. Jauharul, an official involved in the program, highlighted that communication is a key pillar of this new strategy.

"In addition to technical field skills, the Orang Rimba indigenous community members are also trained in the reporting workflow to the authorities," he explained.

Jauharul ensured that their localized knowledge is effectively funneled into the province’s official disaster management system. ***