Sime Darby initiates reduce open burning

Sime Darby's own troop of fire guards at its PT Bhumireksa Nusa Sejati plantation in Riau, Indonesia. The fire guards help put out fires whenever burning is spotted surrounding the plantation. Here, the guards demonstrate to regional media how they hosed water from the water canal to extinguish a recent open burning in a neighbouring planting land.

RIAU: Sime Darby Bhd has seen a 60% reduction in uncontrolled burning surrounding its plantation in Riau since it collaborated with the local authorities to set up the Fire Care Community Group or Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA) last year.

The first plantation company to implement a zero-burning policy since 1985, Sime Darby has taken things a step further by educating local small planters on the disadvantages of burning, potentially changing the open burning culture in the area.