Photo: PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL) holds an education session on wildfire mitigation and endemic species conservation at Rawa Kasat Village, Ulilin District
SOUTH PAPUA – PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL), a subsidiary of Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, introduced wildfire mitigation to Rawa Kasat Village in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency, South Papua, on Saturday (6/27/2026).
This initiative is part of efforts to raise greater awareness of proactive forest and ground fire control, which is increasingly crucial ahead of El Niño, a phenomenon bringing drier weather and increased risks of fires.
During the session, locals learned the steps to prevention, which include identifying influencing factors, understanding the importance of protecting forest areas from fire-inducing activities, and knowing how to report fire spots found in surrounding areas.
“Our mission is to enlighten everyone, [particularly] about the dangers of wildfires since we may be dealing with El Niño for a long time,” said Hassabudin Pattiroy, a manager at PAL.
Aside from mitigation, the company talked about preserving the lives of endemic species, which have high ecological value.
Through this activity, PAL is shaping a mindset that sees biodiversity protection as the backbone of ecological balance. Locals are encouraged to avoid actions harming the ecosystem, such as reckless land burning and poaching.
“We’re grateful for this session. [Having this] knowledge on mitigation will be incredibly helpful, especially when climate conditions keep changing,” said Louis Payes Maikuin, a well-known community leader in Rawa Kasat.
Meanwhile, endemic wildlife conservation is part of PAL’s sustainability commitments, which the company upholds at its location. Annual outreach sessions are held on this topic to educate the public and strengthen environmental consciousness among the people.
By synergizing efforts with local communities, PAL hopes to create a fire-free living environment and safeguard local flora and fauna for the sake of future generations. (PR)
