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When fire razes the Earth
Inferno: Fire razes acacia trees at an industrial forest area managed by forestry company PT Bumi Andalas Permai
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Inferno: Fire razes acacia trees at an industrial forest area managed by forestry company PT Bumi Andalas Permai.
As we arrived at the location and my boots first touched the soil, my breathing became heavy as I inhaled haze rising from the burning forest. The Earth is crying, a little voice in my head repeated as we continued our journey on foot.
It is not a time to play the blame game, but a time of action, as the thick haze continues to threaten millions of people across Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Through my lens I saw how small we as humans are in our battle against the raging fires caused by unethical behavior and a lack of respect for Mother Nature, who has nurtured us from the time of creation.
Firefighters from forestry company PT Bumi Andalas Permai were doing their best to control the fire in Tulung Selapan district in Ogan Komering Ilir regency, South Sumatra, with the help of a small contingent of the Indonesian Army.
Equipped with limited tools and workers, the firefighters have found it a Herculean task to contain the rapidly spreading fire and their efforts seem negligible when facing this much more superior opponent, nature herself.
Dry land, heavy winds and no rain in the past couple of months are three factors that have made the raging fires uncontrollable.
Maybe this is a sign from nature, a warning for humanity, to make us see and be aware, to treat our earth with more respect and love.
' Text and photos by Jerry Adiguna
