On 21 October 2014, the village of Teluk Meranti was rewarded with a grant of Rp 100 million from the community development fund of APRIL’s PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), for being successful in implementing zero burning practices in their areas during the dry season from July to September.

RAPP initiated this Village Fire Prevention Incentive Programme to encourage villages to stop fires from burning their lands, which is a recurring problem in the Indonesian province of Riau, resulting in dense clouds of haze that blanket skies from Sumatra to Singapore during the dry season. The programme is launched as a pilot project in four villages that are prone to fire - Teluk Meranti, Sering, Teluk Binjai and Pulau Muda villages.

The field verification from the programme launch in July through to the end of September was conducted by units of the Pelalawan police, local Disaster Mitigation office (BPBD), Pelalawan Environmental Department as well as Pelalawan Forestry Department. Representatives from RAPP’s Community Development unit participated as observers.

Early evidence suggests the programme has been successful in reducing the area of land burnt. A more formal review of the programme will be conducted at the end of the fire season where successes and learning will be evaluated and shared.

The Pelalawan Regent, HM. Harris, appreciates the Village Fire Prevention Incentive Programme, lauding it as an innovation in preventing forest and land fire. “Protecting the environment must be a collective effort that includes local communities,” he added.

“We will use the fund to build infrastructure at our village” said Teluk Meranti village chief, H. Hasan at the award ceremony where he was presented with the reward from the Pelalawan Regent. The award ceremony was also attended by the Police Chief and head of the local Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and the Director of RAPP. "Support from companies in developing villages is what we need.”

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