An unusually long and hot dry season is currently challenging the Harapan Rainforest team. Logged forest quickly dries out and becomes prone to fire.
Our long-term strategy is to restore the forest as quickly as possible - to re-establish the forest canopy, creating a cool and moist microclimate that is less susceptible to burning. This will take some time, though work has already started, and we are already seeing good regeneration across the site.
What we are doing immediately is to simply keep fire out, and for that we have put together two fire-fighting rapid response teams, with seven members each. They have been trained and fully equipped. This year they have tackled and successfully dealt with more than 50 fires, often on the immediate boundary of the area, where burning is the traditional way to clear land.
Never thought I’d hear myself say it, but let’s hope it starts raining soon!
Tropical Forest Conservation Manager, RSPB