Evaluating the Implementation of Forest and Land Fires Prevention and Alleviation Policy in Jekan Raya Sub-district, Palangka Raya City, Indonesia

Abstract

Forest fire – especially the one which is related to social-economy impact nationally and regionally – interests many people. Indonesia is a high-level forest fire country and most of forest fires happen in Kalimantan. Regarding this issue, government has decided a policy of preventing and alleviating forest fire that is socialized to regional area including Palangka Raya. The policy is decided through Local Government Rule of Palangka Raya Number 7, 2003. The rule is about preventing and alleviating forest and land fires. This research aims at describing: 1) the background of research, 2) implementation of policy, and 3) impact of forest and land fires prevention and alleviation policy in Jekan Raya Sub-district, Palangka Raya City.

This research used descriptive-qualitative method with interactive analysis technique. The research data were obtained from interview and focus group discussion (FGD) as the primary sources. In addition, the secondary data were obtained from literary review as the secondary sources.  The research scope was Jekan Raya Sub-district, Palangka Raya City. The research results showed that: 1) forest and land fires happen continually and even they can be said as a cycle. Therefore, the government decided to decrease forest fire number by enhancing people’s, apparatus and other elements’ awareness to get involved within it; 2) the policy of forest and land fires prevention and alleviation are implemented in the three main components: identifying characteristics and causes, organizing work systematically and realizing the law; 3) the impacts of forest and land fires prevention and alleviation policy are: the hotspot level decreases from year to year as well as there is a well-organized work system from government, TSA and society. Related to law implementation, we can see the implementation of the policy through the implementation of customary law; while sanction of any violation is given based on the rule that has been decided.

Key words: public policy, policy evaluation, forest and land fires