Greenpeace urges Indonesian gov't to settle forest fire, haze problems swiftly

International environmental campaign group Greenpeace on Wednesday urged the Indonesian government to immediately extinguish the ongoing forest fire in Sumatra and Kalimantan that produces toxic haze which have now shrouded several nations in Asia, endangering the health of people both in Indonesia and neighboring countries.

Deforestation activities in Indonesia has increased significantly from 2010 to 2013 albeit implementation of forest- related business moratorium in 2011, suspended issuance of licenses for firms to open new plantations in primary forest areas and peatland, according to Greenpeace.

"The Indonesian government can no longer close its eyes on the massive deforestation at present," Head of Greenpeace Southeast Asia Forestry Project Bustar Maitar said in statement released on Wednesday.

He said that forest fire in Indonesia has created serious threat to public health throughout the Southeast Asian region. It is also apparently a significant source of greenhouse gas emission that threatens world's climate.

Thick haze has engulfed cities affected by forest fire in Sumatra and Kalimantan, disrupting people's daily activities. Authorities have suspended classes in schools, and flights serving those cities were canceled or delayed.

Thousands of people have been recorded to suffer respiratory problems in Sumatra and Kalimantan. However, the Indonesian government has yet to impose national disaster status on the current forest fire.

Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has been coordinating with police, military and related agencies to extinguish fire in Sumatra and Kalimantan. It has deployed 17 water bombing helicopters to the affected areas and created artificial rain. Endi