Indonesia likely to develop canals for preventing fires hinh anh 1Indonesian firemen extinguish a forest fire in Rimbo Panjang, Riau province (Source: AFP/VNA)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has suggested developing canals to prevent forest fires during a meeting in the village of Sakakajang in the sub-district of Jabiren, Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan after his visit to a forest in the area.

The meeting was attended by Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Willem Rampangilei, Central Kalimantan provincial administration official Hadi Prabowo and Pulang Pisang district head Edy Pratowo, reported the Antara News on September 24.

Wikodo asked the BNPB and the Forest Ministry to propose concrete plans to build canals, stating concrete action must be taken.

In the South Sumatra province of the country, serious forest fires and the resulting haze are disrupting local livelihoods and public activities, and affecting Indonesia’s neighbouring countries.

A series of measures have been implemented to deal with the situation, including creating artificial rains.-VNA

VNA