A video from an incident in the mountains of Indonesia—in which a female worker, unable to escape in time, was burned alive during a land-clearing operation involving controlled burning—has become a hot topic due to how terrifying it is.
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Why slash-and-burn land clearing persists during the dry season, despite being prohibited
In Indonesia—the setting for the footage in question—the practice of burning land for agricultural clearing persists in many areas during the dry season, despite being prohibited by law. The primary reason for this ongoing illegal activity is that it offers a quick and inexpensive method for land preparation. In 2015, an extended dry season driven by the El Niño phenomenon led to severe peatland fires, affecting 43 million people—many of whom suffered from the resulting smoke and haze. Although the government has since strengthened its response—for instance, by establishing the Peatland Restoration Agency—fires have continued to recur since 2018, highlighting ongoing challenges regarding the effectiveness of these regulations.
Under current legislation, the Environmental Protection Act prohibits land clearing via burning, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 2 billion rupiah. The Forestry Act, which forbids the intentional burning of forests, imposes even stricter penalties: up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to 5 billion rupiah. Despite this legal framework, the reality on the ground is that such clearing is often carried out by individuals or small groups without the implementation of firebreaks or proper monitoring. Consequently, fires frequently spiral out of control, leading to repeated incidents in which those conducting the clearing lose their lives.
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