Jakarta, Nov. 10 -- Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is calling for on-the-ground verification of suspected land clearing by fire in forest concession areas in South Papua.

BNPB Chief Kristomei Sianturi said the agency had coordinated with local governments, the military and police to inspect the affected areas.

The verification follows a November 4 letter from the forestry minister to the South Papua governor requesting clarification about land conditions in the province.

At a limited meeting on forest and land fire management at the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs on Monday, BNPB presented preliminary hotspot data for concessions held by PT Merauke Sarjaya and PT Selaras Inti Semesta.

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