PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Provincial Government is urging the public not to burn land to clear it. There are other methods that are safer for the environment and the community.

Teten Ali, Head of the West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), stated that land clearing is safer if done manually using tools such as machetes, sickles, and hoes. This method can be used on smaller plots of land.

On large areas, land clearing can be done using mechanical equipment.

Then, the vegetation that has been cut down is collected and chopped to make it smaller.

"Tree debris can be turned into compost with the help of biodecomposers that speed up the composting process," said Teten, Friday (4/9/2026).

Shredded vegetation can also be used as mulch to protect the soil and support plant growth.

Another alternative is that felled vegetation can be reused to make everyday necessities.

According to Teten, the causes of forest and land fires (karhutla) in West Java are generally dominated by human factors, especially land clearing or clearing activities by burning, negligence such as throwing cigarette butts carelessly, and community activities around forest areas and dry land.

Hot weather conditions and minimal rainfall make vegetation more flammable and fires spread quickly.

As of August 31, 2026, the area of land burned in West Java was 228.07 hectares across 178 villages/sub-districts. The largest fires occurred in Sukabumi Regency (49.20 hectares), Majalengka Regency (26.16 hectares), and Bandung Regency (24.80 hectares).

WEST JAVA PUBLIC RELATIONS
Head of the Communication and Information Service of West Java Province
Adi Komar