BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Anthropogenic and natural factors are the primary causes of forest and bush fires in Brunei, a local geography expert said.
Forest fires would lead to loss of valuable natural resources, loss of wildlife habitats as well as biodiversity, Dr Shafi Noor Islam, assistant professor of geography with the Development and Environmental Studies Department under universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), was quoted by local media as saying on Thursday.
According to Shafi Noor Islam, forest fires can also cause runoffs leading to flooding. In addition, forest fires add to global warming and health problems.
Quoting statistics from Brunei's Fire and Rescue Department, he said Brunei recorded 382 forest fire and 193 bush fire outbreaks in the first three months of 2016.
He said that with forest fire and bush fire outbreaks showing an increasing trend over the years, there is an urgent need to use Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) for better monitoring and management of Brunei's forests.
He also called for an integrated interdisciplinary management approach to control forest fires in the country.
