JAKARTA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has decided to establish a national agency to manage peatlands and mangroves and strengthen efforts to prevent recurring forest and land fires, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said Friday.
The agency will focus on research, mapping, early detection and hotspot monitoring, with scientists and professionals involved in peatland management, Teddy said.
The government will also strengthen firefighting capacity by expanding ground operations and the use of water pumps, portable equipment and shallow wells in peatland areas. Village officials and community fire-prevention groups will also be involved in early detection and initial response.
"By bringing together scientific knowledge, technology and community experience in the field, peatland management is expected to be carried out more comprehensively," Teddy said.
Indonesia's peatlands, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan, are highly vulnerable to fires when drained and are a major source of seasonal haze in the region. ■
