Forest and Land Fires in Indonesia Cause Health Burden of Up to IDR 120 Trillion
Forest and land fires (karhutla) have now become a serious problem threatening public health in Indonesia. The latest data shows that the health cost burden resulting from the impact of these fires has reached IDR 120 trillion. This staggering figure reflects the vast negative impact of smoke and air pollution on the quality of life of the population.
The Philanthropy Indonesia Association (PFI) stated that this situation is already leading to a humanitarian crisis threat. According to PFI, the issue of forest and land fires can no longer be handled partially or only when a disaster occurs. More structured and sustainable preventive measures are needed to protect citizens from exposure to hazardous smoke.
Systemic handling is the key to overcoming this problem. PFI emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the government, the private sector, and the community to improve land governance. These efforts are expected to reduce the frequency of forest fires that occur every year, especially during long dry seasons.
In addition to economic losses reaching hundreds of trillions of rupiah, the long-term impact on public health is also a major concern. Respiratory diseases, such as acute respiratory infections (ARI), often increase sharply when forest and land fires occur. This certainly places a significant burden on the national healthcare system.
In conclusion, handling forest and land fires requires a serious commitment from all parties. By implementing systemic and integrated strategies, it is hoped that Indonesia can reduce the incidence of forest fires in the future. This step is crucial for safeguarding public health and environmental sustainability in the country.