Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has urged continued patrols to ensure forest and land fires in East Kalimantan’s Berau District do not threaten Bornean orangutan habitats.
“I came to Berau to ensure wildfires do not harm communities or wildlife, especially orangutans, which are a source of pride for East Kalimantan and the world,” Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said.
After inspecting fire-affected areas in Berau on Wednesday, Raja said the government was continuing efforts to prevent, control, and extinguish forest and land fires.
Beyond protecting public health, wildlife habitats must also be safeguarded from the impacts of wildfires, the minister said.
Raja urged authorities to protect orangutan habitats from wildfire threats.
“We must also protect this area from wildfires through regular patrols,” he said.
Indonesia is particularly concerned about this year’s weather because El Niño arrived earlier and with unusual strength, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
“We know this year’s fires are linked to extraordinary climate change. El Niño usually occurs every four years, but climate change is real,” Raja said.
Given the conditions and wildfire risks, Raja said wildlife protection was an important part of the government’s response, alongside protecting communities.
Raja also designated a conservation area in the Keraitan orangutan landscape to protect orangutan habitat, working with the Long Sam Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, managed by Conservation Action Network (CAN), and other conservation partners.
The Keraitan landscape covers 87 hectares and is an important orangutan habitat, according to the Berau administration.
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Translator: Prisca TV, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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