Haze: 40 times cheaper to burn than use machines, says expert

" PETALING JAYA: The slash and burn method of land clearing is 40 times cheaper than using machines, thus making it difficult for Indonesia to stop open burning.
“The underlying factor is cost,” said Dr Helena Varkkey of the Department of International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaya.

Dr Varkkey, whose expertise is in environmental politics, said that based on research done by others, the cost per hectare in using the slash and burn method is approximately USD5 per hectare.

Using machines would cost about USD200.

She pointed out that small-scale farmers were not the primary source of fires and the culprits were the 60% to 80% of commercial plantations...."

 " She explained that the companies would hire subcontractors to clear land and if they were caught for burning, they claimed to have instructed the subcontractors not to use the slash and burn way.

These companies, she added, often cultivate healthy relationships with local and central government officials.

Another situation that led to the fires causing transboundary haze that has affected Malaysia and Singapore in recent days is the increasing use of peat soil to grow oil palm trees. "

 Source: Haze: 40 times cheaper to burn than use machines, says expert

There you go...  they burn because it's 40 times cheaper. Corporations save a bundle while the people suffers.It is situations like these that shows how governments have failed in their duty. When the culprits are known, but action is not taken. Are these governments and politicians beholden to these corporations?

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