Understanding the issues surrounding forest and land fires requires comprehensive scientific knowledge, ranging from policies and ecological impacts to mitigation strategies. To address this issue, the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), invited Prof. Dr. Tukirin Partomihardjo, Chairperson of the Expert Council of the Indonesian Rare Tree Forum (FPLI), as a speaker at a public lecture for USU Faculty of Forestry students, particularly those specializing in Forest Cultivation, on Thursday, 29 October 2026.

The event, held in a lecture room at the USU Faculty of Forestry, Campus II Bekala, Deli Serdang, featured a presentation entitled “Forest Fires in Indonesia: Policies, Impacts, and Solutions.” Prof. Tukirin's extensive experience in forestry provided students with a valuable opportunity to broaden their knowledge and gain firsthand perspectives from an academic and expert with experience in plant ecology and conservation.

In his presentation, Prof. Tukirin first emphasized the importance of Indonesia's tropical forests for environmental balance and human life. Forests not only function as air purifiers and pollutant absorbers but also play a role in regulating the water cycle, preventing storms, and supporting rainfall formation. These various ecological functions demonstrate that forests make a significant contribution to maintaining climate stability and ecosystem sustainability.

Furthermore, forest fires became the main focus of the public lecture. Through the presentation, students were encouraged to understand that forest and land fires are not merely a matter of vegetation cover loss, but an environmental problem that can disrupt ecosystem balance and threaten various ecological functions of forests. Understanding the policies, impacts, and solutions for addressing forest and land fires is essential for future forestry professionals in facing the challenges of forest management.

The public lecture was also attended by two FPLI staff members, Reza and Sabrina, who accompanied Prof. Tukirin. The presence of FPLI representatives further enriched the academic atmosphere while reflecting the importance of involving various stakeholders in supporting knowledge development and forest conservation efforts.

Dr. Nelly Anna, S.Hut., M.Si., the course lecturer and moderator, expressed her appreciation and gratitude to Prof. Tukirin for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with USU Faculty of Forestry students. According to her, the opportunity to learn directly from a professor with extensive experience in forestry is an invaluable academic experience for students.

Through this activity, the USU Faculty of Forestry continues to promote stronger learning experiences that extend beyond classroom theory by broadening students' perspectives through direct interaction with experts and stakeholders in the forestry sector. The knowledge gained is expected to foster awareness, strengthen academic capacity, and prepare students to contribute to preserving Indonesia's forests.

This activity also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by raising awareness of the health impacts of forest fires on communities due to air pollution; SDG 4 (Quality Education) by strengthening learning and knowledge transfer from experts to students; and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by increasing understanding of the role of forests in maintaining the hydrological cycle and the availability of clean water. Furthermore, this activity contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) through education on the impacts of forest and land fires on climate balance; SDG 15 (Life on Land) by raising awareness of the protection and sustainable management of forest ecosystems; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between the USU Faculty of Forestry and the Indonesian Rare Tree Forum (FPLI) in supporting knowledge development, education, and forest conservation efforts in Indonesia.