Indonesians hope ‘milestone’ ruling will dampen haze-fire risks

“Indonesia’s communities have had enough - they need real government leadership that is serious about putting an end to the forest fires and their health and environmental impacts, once and for all,” she said in a statement.

Indonesia’s government switched its focus from containing fires to preventing them after the 2015 disaster, which cost the country $16 billion and caused more than 500,000 people to suffer respiratory ailments.

New policies include educating and training communities in fire prevention and setting up a Peatland Restoration Agency.

Forest and peatland fires in Indonesia declined dramatically over the last two years, but more work was needed, said David Gaveau, a scientist at the Center for International Forestry Research.

“It became evident during the 2015 fires that the government cannot address this problem alone,” he said.

Hidayati said she hoped the court ruling would ignite a wider debate on the need for better care for haze victims.