ABSTRACT
Of the several Southeast Asian countries, vegetation fires in Indonesia are most rampant with a significant negative impact on the environment. As a response to mitigate fires, the Indonesian legislation calls for a zero-burning policy. This study briefly reviews the biomass burning emissions resulting from oil palm expansion and peatlands’ destruction and then discusses some fire management and mitigation challenges. We also provide details on some existing fire prevention laws in peatlands and plantations. We infer that in contrast to the current efforts focusing on fire prevention such as the “detect and suppress” approach, it is necessary to develop a fire control model that is more grounded in predictive efforts. We also infer that smallholders need to have more incentives and alternate financial sources to implement a zero-burning policy. The study highlights some of the policy measures for effective fire management in Indonesia.
