Ketapang peatlands being wetted via 9km Sungai Pawan canal network

The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry is implementing a peatland wetting initiative in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, to mitigate the impact of forest and land fires. Water from the Sungai Pawan River is being pumped through a nine-kilometer canal network to reach peatlands in Sungai Pelang and Sungai Besar villages.

This operation aims to maintain moisture levels in peat areas to reduce the risk of recurring fires, following incidents in September 2026. The project is a collaborative effort involving the Kalimantan Peatland and Mangrove Ecosystem Management Center, PT Arrtu Energie Resources (AER), local fire-care communities (MPA), and village governments.

The technical setup includes one main pump, two booster pumps, nine canal blockages, and seven culvert locations to manage water flow. Additionally, two reservoirs have been prepared at booster pump sites to assist in distributing water across the target peatland areas.