Jayapura, Jubi – A spatial analysis by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) National Executive, together with WALHI Papua, shows that fire hotspots in South Papua Province are not occurring randomly. The majority are located in Food Estate areas and in concessions belonging to National Strategic Project (PSN) companies.
WALHI stated that the distribution of hotspots in fact reveals a strong pattern of concentration in landscapes that have been allocated by the government or corporations for large-scale food projects and various forms of concessions.
Based on the results of overlaying hotspot data for the period of July 1-9, 2026, with maps of concessions and National Strategic Program (PSN) areas, at least 399 hotspots were found within areas that have already been granted permits or allocated for national food projects. Of that number, 245 hotspots were located in Food Estate areas, 115 hotspots were located within Forest Business Permit (PBPH) concessions, and 39 hotspots were located within oil palm plantation concessions (as can be seen on the map).
According to WALHI, these findings show that nearly one-third of all 1,292 hotspots in South Papua occurred in areas that have already undergone spatial-planning intervention through the granting of business permits or the development of national strategic projects.
"The high concentration of hotspots within Food Estate areas is an important finding. This shows that areas projected to become national food production centers have in fact already faced ecological pressure since the early stage of their development," said Uli Arta Siagian, National Executive Campaign Coordinator of WALHI, in a press release received by Jubi on Saturday (7/18/2026).
She said that recurring fires in areas like these cannot be viewed merely as natural events. Rather, they must be understood as part of a massive, ongoing transformation of the landscape.
According to her, changes in forest cover, land clearing, the construction of road networks, as well as the draining of swamp areas and wetlands, all increase a landscape's vulnerability to fire. She said that South Papua Province has long been known as a region dominated by lowland forests, swamps, peatlands, and wet ecosystems that naturally have the capacity to maintain landscape moisture.
When such landscapes are converted into large-scale production areas, their ecological character also changes, making them more prone to fires during the dry season.
WALHI's analysis also shows that the distribution of hotspots is found not only in areas that have already been cleared, but also around active concessions.
"This pattern indicates that the expansion of various land-use permits has increased pressure on the landscape of South Papua," said Uli.
Another equally important finding is the overlap between areas designated for national food development and the customary territories of Papuan indigenous communities.
In Merauke Regency, there are five indigenous tribes: the Marind, Yei, Kanum, Muyu, and Mandobo tribes. Each tribe holds customary rights (hak ulayat) over land and customary forests within its own territory, and there are also hundreds of clans.
Overlaying the map of customary territories with PSN areas shows that most of the space planned as production zones falls within areas that have long served as the living space of these indigenous communities.
This situation is said to give rise to two risks at once. On one hand, indigenous communities lose their customary territories and sources of livelihood.
"On the other hand, when landscapes that have long been safeguarded by indigenous communities are transformed into industrial-scale production zones, the ecological function of these areas as a buffer against fire is also weakened," said Maikel Peuki, Executive Director of WALHI Papua.
Maikel Peuki said that, for his organization, the fact that hundreds of hotspots are located within Food Estate areas and concessions shows that a development approach based on land expansion can no longer be separated from the rising risk of ecological crisis in South Papua.
He said that food development should strengthen ecological resilience, not instead increase the landscape's vulnerability to fire.
Based on these findings, WALHI's National Executive and WALHI Papua are urging the government to evaluate and completely halt the PSN Food project in South Papua.
They are calling for a stop to the clearing of remaining forest and swamp areas, an audit of all concessions located in areas with high concentrations of hotspots, and a guarantee of recognition and protection for customary territories as the living space of Papuan indigenous communities, as well as the last bastion for protecting Papua's ecosystem.