Indonesia investigates firms related to forest fire
Indonesia is investigating 10 firms over worsening forest fires that have created a blanket of smog over Southeast Asia, according to the country’s authorities.
Thick haze from Indonesian forest fires affects the air quality in Singapore (Source:AFP/VNA)
Indonesia is investigating 10 firms over worsening forest fires that have created a blanket of smog over Southeast Asia, according to the country’s authorities.
Indonesian Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said companies could face sanctions if found violating their permits.
On the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, large forest concessions are used by pulp and paper and palm oil companies who have been criticized by green groups for not doing enough to stop the haze and rampant deforestation.
Affects from prolonged droughts have caused forest fires in the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java and Sulawesi, burning about 130 hectares of forests.
Thick haze from the forest fires have led to flight delays and cancellations in Sumatra and Kalimantan due to low visibility.
꧂ It also pushed the air quality to unhealthy levels in the neighbouring country of Singapore and Malaysia.-VNA
Malaysia was hit by the worst haze it has experienced since early this year as smoke from forest fires caused alarming levels of pollution in six areas on August 5.
Forest fire in Hoang Lien National Park, a primeval forest that covers nearly 30,000 ha and recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park, in the northwestern province of Lao Cai was finally extinguished.
Singapore on June 17 urged Indonesia to take “urgent measures” to tackle forest fires occurred on its Sumatra island that caused a thick haze of smoke hung in the air in the densely populated Singapore.
Ministers in charge of the environment from some ASEAN countries will discuss issues surrounding haze pollution at their 15 th meeting, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 17.
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The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
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The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
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Thick haze from Indonesian forest fires affects the air quality in Singapore (Source:AFP/VNA)
