Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia is working on options toreduce the amount of transboundary haze that could affect Singapore, accordingto Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut BinsarPandjaitan.
The official said on June 6 that the Indonesian authoritiesare looking at climate modification technology to produce artificial rain andstrengthen water reserves, which could help prevent peatland fires.
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said on May 30 that moreprolonged and intense heat waves and droughts are expected from June to October inthe southern ASEAN region – which includes Singapore – with a higher risk oftransboundary haze and fires. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatologyand Geophysics Agency has forecast the risk of forest fires to rise whenIndonesia enters the dry season that began in April.
However, Luhut affirmed that the Indonesian Government has proactively takenmeasures to minimise the impact caused by the weather.
Transboundary haze pollution was most severe in 2016 when the clearing offorests for palm plantations in Indonesia’s Sumatra and Kalimantan causedwildfires, with the nation receiving complaints from neighbouringcountries, including Singapore. Since then, the amount of haze has decreasedsignificantly, as the country focuses more on environmental solutions andeducating the people./.
The official said on June 6 that the Indonesian authoritiesare looking at climate modification technology to produce artificial rain andstrengthen water reserves, which could help prevent peatland fires.
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said on May 30 that moreprolonged and intense heat waves and droughts are expected from June to October inthe southern ASEAN region – which includes Singapore – with a higher risk oftransboundary haze and fires. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatologyand Geophysics Agency has forecast the risk of forest fires to rise whenIndonesia enters the dry season that began in April.
However, Luhut affirmed that the Indonesian Government has proactively takenmeasures to minimise the impact caused by the weather.
Transboundary haze pollution was most severe in 2016 when the clearing offorests for palm plantations in Indonesia’s Sumatra and Kalimantan causedwildfires, with the nation receiving complaints from neighbouringcountries, including Singapore. Since then, the amount of haze has decreasedsignificantly, as the country focuses more on environmental solutions andeducating the people./.
VNA
