From BBC News Indonesia haze: Why do forests keep burning? Published on 16 September 2019
Almost every year, Many parts of Indonesia are burning. A smoky haze blankets the South East Asian region - signalling the return of forest fires in Indonesia.
For many in this region, grey skies and a lingering acrid smell are not unfamiliar.
But what causes these fires - and why do Indonesia's forests burn each year?
What's causing the haze?
According to Indonesia's national disaster agency, there were 328,724 hectares of land burnt this year from January to August alone.
The burning usually peaks from July to October during Indonesia's dry season.
Many farmers take advantage of the conditions to clear vegetation for palm oil, pulp and paper plantations using the slash-and-burn method.
They often spin out of control and spread into protected forested areas.
The problem has accelerated in recent years as more land has been cleared for expanding plantations for the lucrative palm oil trade.
The burnt land also becomes drier, which makes it more likely to catch fire the next time there are slash-and-burn clearings.
The Burning Causes Air Pollution
The haze usually measures hundreds of kilometres across. It has spread to Malaysia, Singapore, the south of Thailand and the Philippines, causing a significant deterioration in air quality. In Malaysia, hundreds of schools have been forced to close after the haze reached "very unhealthy levels" of 208 on the Air Pollutants Index (API) in several districts. In 2015, the PSI level in Singapore was at 341 - schools were forced to close and several fast-food chains suspended their delivery services. On both indices, a reading above 100 is classified as unhealthy and anything above 300 is hazardous. Many in Singapore are wearing special masks to combat the haze. But it's in Indonesia where the impact is most felt. In Palangkaraya, the capital of central Kalimantan, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 2000 on Sunday, according to Greenpeace Indonesia. Anything between 301-500 is considered hazardous.
"I haven't opened the windows and doors for two weeks," said Lilis Alice, another resident. "In the morning, it's dark. If I'm inside the house I have to turn on the lights. It's so dark."
Haze Causes Damage to Health
Besides irritating the respiratory tract and the eyes, pollutants in the haze can cause serious long-term damage to health. The indices used to measure air quality in the region usually measure particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. PM2.5 is considered the most dangerous as it can enter deeper into the lungs. It has been associated with causing respiratory illnesses and lung damage.
However, it’s difficult to stop burning
The slash-and-burn technique employed by many in the region is arguably the easiest way for farmers to clear their land and helps them get rid of any disease that may have affected their crops.
But it's not just small-scale farmers at work here.
Palm oil plantations are big money in Indonesia. Many of these fires are started by big corporations that want to plant oil palm plantations. Indonesia is the world's biggest producer of palm oil and the demand for the commodity has been rising. This means there is need for extra land for palm oil plantations. Some of the big corporations accused of illegal burning have Malaysian and Singaporean investors. Slash-and-burn is illegal in Indonesia but has been allowed to continue for years. This is a problem. Under this situation, people need air purifier to help clean air, remove smoke, dust, PM2.5. Here recommend some of our air purifiers for smoke removal, which can efficiently remove smoke, particles, odors. Kindly check below air purifier product links:
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Post time: Jun-11-2022
