Cross-sector Collaboration Strengthens Forest and Land Fire Prevention Efforts in Pauh

Pauh, Jambi, 11 April 2026 - Efforts to prevent forest and land fires continue to be reinforced through cross-stakeholder collaboration in Pauh Subdistrict, Jambi. A public awareness and education session on the risks of forest and land fires was held at the Pauh Subdistrict Office Hall, involving companies, subdistrict authorities, security forces, and relevant technical stakeholders.

The activity was initiated by PT Bahana Karya Semesta and PT Primatama Kreasimas, subsidiaries of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, in collaboration with the Pauh Subdistrict Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimcam) and Manggala Agni Operational Area (Daops) Sumatra XIII Sarolangun.

The session focused on strengthening understanding and coordination among stakeholders in preparation for the dry season. In addition to presentations, the forum also served as a platform for discussion to agree on follow-up actions, including integrated patrols and enhanced on-the-ground preparedness.

This aligns with projections from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which indicate that the 2026 dry season may be prolonged due to the El Niño phenomenon, thereby increasing the risk of forest and land fires.

A representative from Manggala Agni Daops Sumatra XIII Sarolangun highlighted that most fire incidents are still triggered by human activities, particularly land clearing through burning. As such, behavioural change remains a critical factor in prevention efforts.

During the forum, stakeholders also agreed that prevention efforts must be sustained through strengthened coordination, integrated patrols, and improved field-level preparedness.

Meanwhile, the Pauh Police Chief, Iptu Hans Simangunsung, emphasised that land burning constitutes a legal violation with serious consequences for the environment, public health, and legal compliance under prevailing regulations.

The Head of Pauh Subdistrict, Achmad Asaddil, expressed appreciation for the collaboration and encouraged its continuation. "We hope the spirit of fire prevention continues to grow through the active involvement of companies, village authorities, and the community," he said.

Estate Manager of PT Bahana Karya Semesta, Daniel Tambunan, stressed that prevention efforts cannot be carried out in isolation, but require consistent coordination among all parties. "Strong collaboration between companies, government, and communities is essential to anticipate risks from the outset," he added.

It is expected that this outreach will be followed by concrete actions on the ground to more effectively reduce the risk of fires.