Orangutan named Pongi

Who is he? and why named Pongi? Well, if you grew up in US, I will simply start the conversation with “do you know who Smokey is?”. I believe that most of you will reply: “oh sure ….. Smokey says ..... only you can prevent the wildfires”. Yes, that is the well-known Smokey’s quote, everybody knows!!

Now back to who is Pongi? He is like the "Smokey-the bear" of Indonesia, but he is not as lucky as Smokey, as not every Indonesian knows who he is, and why he exists. Here is Pongi pic.

Ministry of Forestry - Forest fire-fighter

As you may notice, Indonesia, my country, is home to the 3^rd largest world tropical rain forests following Brazil and Congo. The country however troubled with severe forest fire, especially during dry season, and particularly on drained (tropical) peat soil.

This type of soil is actually unique, and should be kept inundated or at least wet. Because the soil becomes sensitive to fire when dried. If supported by a very hot temperature, and stimulated by enough air flow, the flame can easily appear on dried peat due simple ignition; and the flame even enough to light up your cigarette (see the pic). When you have enough dry biomass on the ground for fuels, massive fire will soon be appear.

Peat on flame

Back to Pongi, my character in this story. His name is adopted from Pongo sp, the urangutan, and he actually is a mascot for forest fire-fighter in Indonesia (known as Manggala Agni).

However, Pongi is not publicly well-known, meaning he has not optimally used for campaign purposes to public, e.q. in suppressing forest fire. So far, what I see, he is more used as a logo for Manggala Agni (see Pongi in Manggala Agni truck).

So sad, even googling Pongi only gives very limited results, don’t believe it?! With high risk of forest fire, Pongi of Manggala Agni of Indonesia should be as famous as Smokey the bear. I am a forester, so yes of course, I know Pongi, though I have no idea at all how the forest fire was related to him. But common people may never hear about him.

In contrast, Smokey the bear, mascot of forest fire-fighter in US is greatly famous. Smokey has his own song, his movie, cartoon, and of course his quote. Kids know him well, and people even celebrate the Smokey 70 years birthday this year. Real Smokey the bear was once alive, and you can find his photos easily when googling his name. 

In reality, Smokey can easily be found, even poses everywhere, signing risks of fire in all over forests areas, see pic below. Last month, during my road-trip in west coast, I recall to see Smokey along the way, with his sign gradation, start with low risk in the north and high risk more to the south.

Yes, Smokey has five colors to simply represent the risk of fire in his forest. Green (low), blue (moderate), yellow (high), orange (very high), and red (extreme).These colors easy to articulate risk condition, even without explanations. I like it!!

As a forester, my passion is more to see healthy trees, green environment, and green landscape. It’s not difficult to see those kind of scenery in US, as people has learnt from bad experience in the past and value nature as it is (see the Greatest Good); but not yet in my country.

I am thinking, how if Pongi get some helps to be as popular as Smokey, not as just a logo but as a character, including adopt Smokey's signs? Pongi can be introduced as early as possible to young generations, could be at school, or informally through cartoon, movie, children books, toys, etc.

There were projects in the past, did try these efforts, especially after the big forest fire disaster in Indonesia around 1997/1998. Sadly it was not consistently employed through time.

Ideally, Pongi should be given a memorable and notable words, which later people in Indonesia will remember as Pongi quote; just like his colleague in US, Smokey the bear.

"Only you can prevent wildfires".