Fires set
illegally to clear forests and peatlands for agricultural use in Indonesia are
once again generating an acrid haze that has spread across that country and its
neighbors. But a number of scientists say the haze emergency—which sent scores
to hospitals with respiratory problems and led to school closures and flight
cancellations—could have been worse. In the years since the last major haze
event in 2015, Indonesia has moved to restore peatlands, making them more
fire-resistant; enhanced restrictions on converting primary forests to
agricultural lands; and stepped up enforcement of bans on fires. Experts praise
the progress but say even more needs to be done, particularly in area of
enforcement of laws holding plantation operators liable for fires on their
lands even if they don't deliberately start them.
