Myrna Safitri, Peatland Restoration (BRG) official, said that peatland restoration projects are not complete yet. The projects include building infrastructure; such as canal, to keep peatland wet.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic might divert the government attention away from forest fires. Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) forestry expert Bambang Hero Saharjo said.
Several areas have already entered the dry season. The pollution from fires could worsen the condition of COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 affects the enforcement of environmental protections that are essential for containing the fires. Air pollution from forest fires increases the vulnerability to COVID-19 especially the cases of those who are the most affected; older people, and people who have lung diseases.
Environmental protection enforcement has weaken during the pandemic, causing the dramatic increases in deforestation. However, in the case of Indonesia, the authorities throw away regulations which keep illegal logging in check to boost the economic which slows down due to the outbreak.
To reduce environmental enforcement during the pandemic would be a mistake. First, deforestation is crucial to climate change which have consequences for human health in a long term.
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Keyword: #forestfires #peatfires #indonesiaforestfires