The potential for peatland villages to prevent fire: Case study of Tumbang Nusa Village Central Kalimantan

Peatland fires have become a global concern due to the negative impacts of smoke and greenhouse gas emissions produced which can reach ten times than from fires on mineral land. The village of Tumbang Nusa has been known as a fire resistant village in the Central Kalimantan peatland. Fire is always triggered by the people who are accustomed to burning their lands uncontrollably. Community empowerment research to prevent fires is therefore very important. The study of resource potential in the village has been carried out through observation and interviews. The results of the study show that rural communities have the potential for natural resources, human resources, and some infrastructure that can be developed as a basis for community empowerment efforts that will reduce the need to use fire for land clearing. These activities include local fish cultivation in beje and keramba ponds, development of purun plants, rubber, peat swamp tree nurseries and agroforestry developments including tree plantations of belangeran ( Shorea belangeran ), jelutung ( Dyera spp .), and gemor ( Nothapoebe coriacea ) mixed with vegetable and fruit crops such as pineapple. Through developing these alternative land use activities, awareness of fire prevention in the community increases. However, dissemination of prevention rules, agricultural training, fire control, and methods for utilizing left over organic materials (i.e. disposal of crop residues without use of fire) need to be carried out continuously.