UPSC Mains: Indonesia Wildfires, Transboundary Haze, ASEAN Cooperation
Indonesia's wildfires and transboundary haze Approximately 1.9 million hectares burned between January and September 2026. Major affected regions: Sumatra and Kalimantan. El Niño and land-clearing practices intensified fires. Around 58 million people exposed to unhealthy air. Smoke affected Malaysia and Singapore. Important concepts: Peatland fires. El Niño. Transboundary air pollution. ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution Mains angle: Regional environmental cooperation and climate-induced disasters.