Indonesia's peatland fires: Can the damage be reversed? A scientist weighs in

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Environmental groups have pointed to peatland degradation as a factor behind Indonesia's fires and the haze spreading across Singapore and Malaysia. Peatlands are naturally wet ecosystems and do not typically burn under undisturbed conditions. But decades of drainage and extensive canal networks have left Indonesia's peatlands dangerously dry, allowing fires to spread and intensifying the haze crisis, says RMIT University environmental soil scientist Samantha Grover. She tells CNA's Asia First why restoring drained peatlands — rather than relying on firefighting alone — could offer a lasting solution. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Visit our website: https://cna.asia Download our app: https://cna.asia/app Get our editors' picks of stories via chat apps: Telegram: https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp: https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us on these platforms: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia