TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) says government’s plan to build canal to tackle peatland fire in Central Kalimantan will not be as effective as if it is built in Riau. Arie Rompas, Walhi Executive Director for Central Kalimantan said the canal location is too far from the hot spot.

“Besides, the river is lower in altitude compared to the peat land,” Arie when wet at Walhi office in Jakarta, on Thursday.

The canal is planned to be built nearby Kahayan river. There is 5 to 8-centimeter difference between the height of the river and the land.

“We can use pumps but it will take long time.”

The NGO further believe that the canal building would damage ecosystem of the peat land in the long term. River water will interfere with synthesis process of the peatland. Both digging out old canals and building new canals would incur a same damaging effect.

“Building large canal, and then making smaller canals like the fins will dry out the land,” Arie explained.

It is believed that President Joko Wododo’s instruction to build the canals will be good for long-term control if canal blocks are further built. But, Arie said, the method can not be used to extinguish the fire.

“It’s better that the government focuses on the people who are suffering from haze,”

On the other hand, Walhi Executive Director for Riau, Riko Kurniawan believes that the blocked canals are effective to prevent fire on peatland in Sungai Tohor village, Tebing Tinggi, Meranti Regency, Riau. Riko has even recommended that the succeeding method is implemented in other provinces.

“It’s effective and there are zero hot spots there up to date,” Riko said on Friday.

Similarly, Raffles Brotestes Panjaitan, the Director of Forest Fire Control in Central Kalimantan believes that the blocked canals are effective to tackle peatland fire in the province.

MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI