Senator Mirah Calls for Stronger Wildfire Mitigation in The Mandalika Area

15 May 2026 oleh admin

Mataram, dpd.go.id — Mirah Midadan Fahmid, a member of Indonesia’s House of Regional Representatives (DPD RI) representing West Nusa Tenggara, has expressed concern over the rising risk of forest and land fires (karhutla) in the southern part of Central Lombok Regency, particularly in the Mandalika area, which has now been categorized as a red zone (15/05/2026). Senator Mirah stated that the Mandalika red-zone status demands urgent, collective attention. As both a tourism icon and a national strategic region, Mandalika must be rigorously protected through serious, systematic, and sustainable fire prevention. “We must not let our guard down. The Mandalika is a national asset with enormous economic, social, and environmental value. If this area is affected by forest and land fires, the impact will extend beyond the ecosystem to tourist confidence, businesses, and investors,” Senator Mirah stated. Senator Mirah stressed that proactive wildfire risk management in Mandalika is crucial due to its strategic importance. The Mandalika SEZ spans about 1,035.67 hectares, serving as a prime tourism hub. BMKG forecasts also highlight below-normal rainfall and longer dry seasons, increasing fire risk. “These figures show that the threat of forest and land fires cannot be treated as a routine seasonal occurrence. When dry seasons become longer, and land-burning practices continue, the risks to tourism areas such as The Mandalika will only grow greater,” she stressed. She also appreciated the efforts of the Central Lombok Regency Government through its Fire and Rescue Agency, which has strengthened firefighting posts in Kuta Mandalika, prepared additional vehicles and personnel, and enhanced coordination with Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). Nevertheless, Senator Mirah stressed that wildfire management cannot rely solely on post-fire response measures. Prevention, she said, must become the primary focus, particularly through public education, patrols in vulnerable areas, and stricter monitoring of land-clearing practices involving open burning. “Changing public behavior is key. Clearing land by burning may seem quick and inexpensive, but the risks are enormous. A small fire can quickly spread, damage the environment, disrupt community activities, and tarnish the region’s tourism image,” she said. Senator Mirah also encouraged local governments, ITDC, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), community groups, tourism businesses, and villages surrounding the Mandalika area to establish an integrated wildfire mitigation system. Such a system, she explained, should include hotspot mapping, routine patrols, rapid reporting channels, early warning systems, initial firefighting equipment, and training programs for local communities. Furthermore, she underlined that wildfire mitigation efforts must be linked to the broader agenda of sustainable tourism. According to her, Mandalika’s success as a world-class destination depends not only on infrastructure and international events, but also on maintaining environmental quality and ensuring area safety. “Sustainable tourism can only be achieved when the environment is preserved. We must not allow The Mandalika’s image as a leading destination to be damaged by fires that are actually preventable,” Senator Mirah remarked. As a regional representative in DPD RI, Senator Mirah reaffirmed her commitment to pushing for stronger central government support in disaster management infrastructure, human resource capacity building, and public education programs related to wildfire prevention. She also called on the people of Central Lombok, especially those living around the Mandalika area, to take part in protecting forests and land from fire threats. “Protecting The Mandalika means safeguarding the future of NTB tourism, protecting the environment, and preserving the livelihoods of local communities. This is our shared responsibility,” Senator Mirah concluded.