Walhi urges Indonesian govt to review permits linked to wildfires

Walhi, an Indonesian environmental organisation, has called on the government to reassess corporate permits tied to recent wildfires, citing evidence linking these permits to over 5,000 fire hotspots in East Kalimantan. The group’s East Kalimantan chapter, based in Samarinda, argues that administrative penalties and firefighting measures alone will not address the root causes of the crisis. Instead, they urge immediate audits and revocation of permits held by companies whose concessions have repeatedly burned. The call comes amid ongoing concerns over the impact of industrial activities on forest health. According to data collected by Walhi from August 1 to 25, the majority of fire incidents occurred within three major concession categories: forest-utilisation permits, oil palm cultivation rights, and mining concessions. These findings highlight systemic failures in corporate compliance with environmental protections. Fathur Roziqin Fen, executive director of Walhi East Kalimantan, stated that the repeated burning in concession areas demonstrates a lack of accountability among permit holders and underscores broader issues of weak regulatory oversight. Fathur emphasized that the government must move beyond reactive firefighting and instead implement stricter controls. He argued that the current approach fails to address the underlying causes of the fires, which include both illegal land clearing and inadequate enforcement of existing laws. “Companies operating under these permits have not fulfilled their responsibilities to protect ecosystems,” he said. “The government must act decisively to hold them accountable.” The issue of land distribution and its effects on local communities was also raised during the statement. Fathur pointed out that the uneven allocation of land resources has led to prolonged exposure to smoke and environmental degradation. He highlighted how indigenous groups and local communities have historically managed their lands more sustainably than large-scale corporations, often resulting in better conservation outcomes. “Community-managed areas have proven more effective at preserving forests,” he said. “This should be acknowledged and protected.” In addition to advocating for stronger regulation of corporate permits, Walhi has urged the government to expand legal recognition of community-owned lands. This, according to Fathur, would not only support environmental protection but also promote social equity. “Recognizing community land rights can help break the cycle of annual wildfire crises,” he said. “It would also ensure that local populations benefit directly from sustainable resource management.” The organisation also cited related reports indicating that up to 60% of Jambi’s forest area has been damaged by fires, further illustrating the scale of the problem. In another instance, Walhi called for a thorough investigation into pollution affecting the Laut Panjang coastline, underscoring the growing concern over industrial activity impacting both terrestrial and marine environments. As the situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on the need for policy reform and increased transparency in land-use practices. With the government facing mounting pressure to address the environmental and public health impacts of the fires, the debate over corporate responsibility and land rights is likely to intensify. For now, the key challenge lies in translating advocacy into tangible legislative and administrative changes.