Indonesian City Palangka Raya Chokes Under Thick Orange Haze From Kalimantan Wildfires

A suffocating, vivid orange haze has descended upon Palangka Raya, the capital of Central Kalimantan province in Indonesia, as uncontrolled wildfires devastate the surrounding region. Satellite imagery confirms extensive burning across Kalimantan, exacerbating air quality to dangerous levels and posing significant health risks to residents.

These annual fires are predominantly linked to illegal and unregulated land clearing practices, where vast tracts of forest and peatland are torched to make way for industrial agricultural expansion, most notably palm oil and pulpwood plantations. Despite ostensible government prohibitions, the systematic destruction persists, driven by the substantial material profits derived from these industries.

The resulting air pollution crisis routinely impacts millions, demonstrating the enduring prioritisation of resource extraction over environmental protection and public health in the region. International bodies and human rights organisations have consistently highlighted the devastating human cost and ecological damage, yet effective enforcement against the corporate actors responsible remains largely elusive, underscoring the deep-seated economic interests at play.