By East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor stated here on Wednesday that all regions in the province have been on alert to face the drought as a result of the El Nino weather phenomena.
“We hope that this (meeting results in) an agreement and a proper formulation in order to face our current condition,” he remarked while opening the coordination meeting for preparedness against drought and forest and land fires here on Wednesday.
He noted that some regions in Java and parts of Sulawesi and Kalimantan Islands are already experiencing drought and forest and land fires.
“Hopefully, it will not happen in East Kalimantan. There are hotspots, but forest fires have not been reported,” Noor remarked.
He said all elements, from the provincial government to the communities, including the military and the police, have worked together in anticipating forest and land fires.
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He also expressed hope that private firms, right from mining to palm oil companies, among others, will partake in efforts to prevent forest and land fires by protecting the forests around their business areas.
Moreover, he emphasized the importance of promptly dealing with fires.
“The provincial government collaborates with related parties to anticipate forest and land fires, especially with the military, the regional police, the private sector, and the community,” he stated.
Noor said his side also collaborates with the province’s Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and local governments to support disaster risk reduction efforts that encompass monitoring and disseminating data and information on weather and climate developments.
They also conduct ground checks and field handling and strengthen villages against disasters.
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