unri.ac.id Universities (PT) have an important role in synergizing with the local government and other parties to anticipate the haze disaster that occurred in Riau Province. One of the efforts of the University of Riau (Unri) is to take part in providing solutions.
Unri Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Aras Mulyadi DEA at a press conference, Monday (16/9/2019) in the Kunto Darussalam meeting room on the second floor of the Bina Widya Campus Rectorate Building, said that Unri had implemented a number of programs to prevent forest and land fires within the Tridarma of Higher Education. .
"Unri through its Institutions, Units at Unri continues to carry out a series of research, action, and advocacy to the community regarding forest and land fires (Karhutla) in Riau," said the Chancellor.
Furthermore, Unri plays a role in assisting in handling and anticipating actions, both in the health sector and assisting the community in law enforcement. Therefore, Unri formed a disaster preparedness task force (Satgas), which was chaired by the Deputy Chancellor for Student Affairs and Alumni of Unri and with other compositions of elements followed by several elements from the Unri Hospital.
"Starting last Thursday, September 12, 2019, Unri Hospital has opened health services to the general public who are affected by the smoke. The entire Unri academic community and the general public who are affected by the smoke disaster can seek medical treatment at the Unri Hospital for free," said the Professor of Unri.
“With regard to forest and land fire control, Unri through the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) conducted a series of research, as well as concrete actions carried out through the implementation of the Real Work Lecture (Kukerta) program with the theme of community-based Karlahut prevention, including peat restoration activities in The entire Peat Hydrological Unit (KHG) is the main solution for Karlahut in Riau,” explained Aras.
Furthermore, on a regular basis, students who are carrying out Real Work Lectures (KKN) are carried out through Thematic KKN in several districts and cities that have the potential for large forest and land fire disasters. “Every year, Unri KKN students have the theme of managing and preventing forest and land fires. We have been doing this since 2015 even through the National Community Service Program for all universities in Indonesia,” explained the Chancellor.
Until this moment, Unri has always coordinated with local and central government agencies, Provinces and Regency Municipalities as well as several private companies, Government-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), as well as environmentalists, international institutions to strengthen the implementation of policies in controlling forest and land fires in Riau Province. .
“Unri also conducted joint research involving foreign universities, namely Kyoto University , which has a tropical study center and is also engaged in forest and land fires, especially peatlands. The research results are used to solve the root causes of the forest and land fires disaster in Riau Province,” said the Chancellor.
The issue of the BNPB and BRG fires has also carried out concrete actions by preparing trained volunteers and also making the efforts needed by the community in resolving Karhutla. "Indeed, we are mostly engaged in prevention, both through community advocacy and research by providing research schemes specifically for peatlands and preventing land and forests in general, as well as providing counseling and training to the community through actually being strengthened by Unri," he concluded. (wendi. Rizki's photo) ***
