Greenpeace warns of haze disruption during Asian Games

JAKARTA, March 1 (Xinhua) -- International environmental organization Greenpeace warned on Monday that haze from forest fire could disrupt the 2018 Asian Games as Indonesia's South Sumatra capital of Palembang will also host some competitions.

Greenpeace learned that hotspots have already emerged in several provinces last month, prompting four provinces, including South Sumatra, to declare disaster alerts related to the rapidly developing situation.

Citing data released by Indonesia's Forestry and Environmental Ministry, Greenpeace said that the current number of hotspots was 20 percent higher than during the corresponding period last year.

Considering the wind direction is projected to run from east to north during the upcoming dry season in Palembang, Greenpeace said that it could potentially impact the 2018 Asian Games if forest fires break out in the eastern and southern areas of the city.

"The haze (from forest fire) would be an apparent threat for the 2018 Asian Games held in South Sumatra in August," Greenpeace Indonesia Forest Campaigner Asep Komarudin said in a statement.

To prevent forest fires from breaking out in the province, Greenpeace has urged the authorities to take action.

"They must be able to stop forest fires from occurring again by applying firm measures against firms opening new plantation areas in the forest and peatlands," Asep pointed out.

The other solution is to enforce transparency in national forest management with Single Map drive, a part of President Joko Widodo's commitment to addressing the issue.

"Besides that, letting the public partake in the monitoring process can be part of the solution, by giving them access to official documents that allow firms to work in areas prone to forest fire," Asep added.

"For the sake of saving the nation's dignity in the upcoming international sports event, the government must take swift action in anticipating the forest fire in the province," he said.

A forest fire in 2015 was devastating, affecting 2.6 million hectares of forest and peatlands in several provinces, including South Sumatra. It took international assistance to quell the raging fire that took 24 lives and harmed hundreds.

The 2018 Asian Games will be jointly hosted by Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2. Over 11,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries and regions will take part in the event. Enditem