ASEAN ministers warn that haze could return in July

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1053673/1/.html

SINGAPORE: The haze could return in July if no concrete action is taken to fight the forest fires in Indonesia.

ASEAN environment ministers issued the warning at a meeting on transboundary haze in East Kalimantan, Indonesia on Friday.

The ministers noted that during the current Inter-Monsoon season from May to June, brief dry spells can be expected. This could lead to occasional surges of hotspot activities in the region.

Increased hotspot activities can be expected in the fire-prone areas in the region during the traditional dry season from June to September. This may lead to transboundary smoke haze pollution from July.

Despite the weakening of the El Nino phenomenon, the region experienced an increase in hotspots from March to April, compared with the same period last year.

The ministers agreed to step up vigilance and work harder to prevent and fight land and forest fires.

They also pledged to reduce the number of hotspots by 20 per cent every year.

The ministers noted the progress in the collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore for the Muaro Jambi Regency.

Seven action programmes have been successfully completed under the Jambi Master Plan.

An additional project on Freshwater Aquaculture Training has also been completed while the Jambi Peatland Management Project is ongoing.

Senior officials will meet again in July in Sarawak, Malaysia to review the fire and haze situation, as well as ongoing activities and appropriate action.

- CNA/ir