PUBLICATIONS

A preliminary study conducted in five LTKL member regencies identified Siak Regency as a priority area for forest and peatland fire (karhutla) prevention interventions. Siak faces a high level of vulnerability, with peatlands covering 53.22% of its territory and 67 villages classified as fire-prone. In 2015 alone, 389 karhutla incidents were recorded, affecting a total burned area of 2,189.5 hectares. These fires were primarily triggered by peatland conversion for industrial timber plantations (HTI) and oil palm estates, as well as alleged negligence and deliberate burning by companies.

Efforts to prevent karhutla have been considered weak due to limited attention within the Siak Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) 2016–2021 and consistently declining budget allocations. Fire management has largely relied on ad hoc, inter-agency cooperation without a coordinated work plan, highlighting a disconnect between development planning and actual environmental conditions. This situation has been further exacerbated by internal communication and coordination challenges within the local government, stemming from centralized leadership structures and local political dynamics.

The study recommends differentiated communication strategies tailored to each government agency. Bappeda and BPBD are positioned at the highest level of collaboration, while the Environmental Agency (DLH), the Agriculture Office, and the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (PU TARUKIM) require a more consultative approach. Meanwhile, the Siak Police (Polres Siak) need strengthened access to objective and balanced information. Overall, four key strategies are proposed: the establishment of a dedicated karhutla working group, strengthening policy and development planning, improving inter-agency communication and coordination, and mobilizing financial resources and institutional capacity to support sustainable karhutla prevention efforts.