Indonesia Expands Forest and Land Fire Prevention Through Fire-Free Land Clearing

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has allocated a special budget to help people clear land without using burning methods.

"The President has also instructed that if people want to clear land and need heavy equipment, they should report it to the authorities. They will receive assistance, and we have allocated a special budget for that purpose," State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said in a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.

Prasetyo stressed that land clearing must not be done by burning. The government considers such prevention measures important because forest and land fires can cause far greater losses.

"The key point is not to clear land by burning it. The losses would be much greater," he said.

In addition to providing heavy equipment, the government is strengthening efforts to prevent forest and land fires through public education.

"Education is important because all fires are caused by human activity," Prasetyo said.

The government is also encouraging the inclusion of forest and land fire mitigation materials in education. Prasetyo said the government had requested that the topic be incorporated into local content curricula and religious education from an early age.

"We have asked for it to be included in local content curricula and also in religious education from an early age. Every possible measure must be taken," he said.

To strengthen response efforts when fires occur, the government is also preparing firefighting equipment. It has ordered Beriev amphibious aircraft and other firefighting equipment.

Prasetyo said the government had also procured around 2,000 fire trucks last year. According to him, the equipment has proven essential in handling forest and land fires.

"In addition to preparing adequate equipment for fire response, we have also ordered Beriev-type aircraft and firefighting equipment," he said.

"Fortunately, last year we took the bold step of purchasing around 2,000 fire trucks. It has now proven that they are needed," he added.

The measures form part of the government's strategy to reduce the risk of forest and land fires. Prevention efforts focus on land clearing without burning, public education, equipment support, and strengthening firefighting capacity. (Gusti Panji)