Stakeholders engagement in risk communication for peatland fire management

Abstract

Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province is one of the areas prone to fires, especially peat areas since 2014 until now. One of the area in Bengkalis Regency which also the center of peatland fires is Bukit Batu District. To tackle the occurrence of peatland fires in the Bukit Batu District, a number of stakeholders have collaborated and are actively involved in the process of overcoming peatland fires starting from prevention, mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and recovery. This study was conducted using qualitative approach by collecting data through field observations and interviews with in actors of peatland fires management in Bukit Batu District consisting of the Government, Corporations, Academics, Mass Media, and Community Groups. The result shows that stakeholder involvement have a role in increasing awareness of peatland fires and stakeholders are actively involved in risk communication through the use of communication media such as dialogue, counseling and coordination between stakeholders both face-to-face and online by using Whatsapp as media communication. The stakeholders engagement also plays a role in mobilizing the community to activate community self-reliance in extinguishing land fires and creating added value in community empowerment activities so as to prevent land fires.