Central Kalimantan Plants Trees to Restore Fire-Damaged Land
Central Kalimantan’s Tumbang Nusa tree planting targets fire-damaged land, alongside food and supplies for responders and affected residents.
TUMBANG NUSA, Indonesia — Central Kalimantan is pairing tree planting on land damaged by forest and land fires with immediate support for responders and affected residents, highlighting the recovery work required after flames are extinguished. Governor Agustiar Sabran took part in the planting in Tumbang Nusa, Pulang Pisau regency, on Saturday and urged government and communities to protect the region’s forests together.
The effort addresses two needs at once: restoring burned areas and assisting people dealing with the fires’ effects. Organizers also provided food and supplies for firefighters, volunteers and residents affected by the fires.
Recovery beyond extinguishing the fires
Agustiar said fire response should continue after the flames are out, with rehabilitation needed in affected areas. He called for residents and government agencies to share responsibility for protecting forests and the environment.
“Forest and land fire management must be accompanied by environmental recovery efforts. The government invites the public to work together to preserve the forests and environment of Central Kalimantan,” Agustiar said.
The governor praised those involved in fighting the fires and supporting rehabilitation. In practical terms, the tree-planting effort is part of longer-term recovery, while food and other supplies address immediate needs for people working in or affected by the fire response.
Army commander Maj. Gen. Zainul Arifin, head of the XXII/Tambun Bungai Regional Military Command, also emphasized environmental restoration. Citing a hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari about planting trees, he connected care for nature with responsibility to future generations.
“This message teaches that doing good and protecting nature must continue under any circumstances for the survival of future generations,” Zainul said.
Food and supplies for responders and residents
The event included “Kuliner Merah Putih,” organized by Bobon Santoso, which provided up to thousands of meal portions for firefighters, volunteers and residents affected by the fires. Organizers also distributed bottled water, snacks, medicines, vitamins, masks and other logistical supplies.
The mix of rehabilitation and direct assistance reflects the different demands of a fire emergency. Burned land needs recovery, while residents and response teams need support as they face the effects of the fires.
Separate media coverage of Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin’s visit to Palangka Raya has also drawn attention to air-pollution support. CNN Indonesia and Detik News reported that Budi said a photograph of him using oxygen at an oxygen center was intended to show a facility prepared for people affected by air pollution; he was not experiencing shortness of breath.
According to Budi’s explanation cited by those outlets, the oxygen center is managed by Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center, alongside a mobile oxygen bus run by the Central Kalimantan provincial government. The center has HEPA air filtration, and residents needing further treatment can be referred to a hospital.
Agustiar called on residents to help preserve Central Kalimantan’s forests and environment, while Zainul said protecting nature must continue “for the survival of future generations.”
