BKSDA Monitors Wildlife Trade at Jatinegara Bird Market, Encourages Compliance and Conservation Education

The Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) continues to monitor wildlife trading activities at the Jatinegara Bird Market in East Jakarta. This oversight aims to ensure there is no circulation of protected wild animals while encouraging traders and hobbyists to comply with conservation rules. “BKSDA carries out monitoring and implementation of legislation on wild plants and animals (TSL), particularly regarding the circulation of protected animal species, through several approaches,” said Head of the Section for Conservation of Natural Resources Region I of BKSDA Jakarta, Marwan Shofa, when contacted by Kompas.com on Thursday (30/4/2026). The forms include counselling, socialisation, and awareness-raising about protected animal species and circulation regulations. In addition to socialisation, BKSDA also involves the market as an educational space. Marwan mentioned that his agency once collaborated with market managers, the bird traders’ association, and the Forestry Education and Training Centre to hold field practice training on animal and environmental health or zoonosis. BKSDA also implements preventive measures through routine patrols and incidental or surprise patrols. These patrols aim to ensure that no protected animals are traded openly or covertly. “Thirdly, limited repressive efforts, namely securing protected animals found being traded at the location,” said Marwan. In practice, Marwan stated, the animals found are often classified as found goods because no one claims ownership or as the seller. “Subsequently, the animals are secured and entrusted to the Tegal Alur Wildlife Rescue Centre (PPS) for further handling,” he said. “Traders and hobbyists are beginning to increasingly understand the importance of complying with regulations, particularly by not buying, selling, or keeping protected bird species,” said Marwan. In addition, traders are becoming more selective in ensuring the origin of the birds they sell, for example, from legal breeding facilities equipped with valid documents. “Adaptation is also evident from their openness to participating in guidance activities, socialisation, and coordination facilitated by BKSDA,” said Marwan. Nevertheless, BKSDA emphasises that this process still requires ongoing strengthening, both through education, monitoring, and inter-agency synergy. “Therefore, BKSDA continues to encourage collaboration so that compliance with regulations can increase further, while maintaining a balance between economic activities and conservation efforts,” he stated. Its presence is part of the Jatinegara Animal Market, a traditional market that also sells pets, feed, and care equipment. The market has long been known as one of the centres for animal trading in the East Jakarta area. Based on historical records, the market has been operating since the 1770s in front of the gate of the Dutch Fort Meester Cornelis. Meester Cornelis itself was the name of the Jatinegara area during the colonial period. Based on records from the National Library’s Batavia Digital, the Jatinegara area has long been one of the major trading centres in Batavia. One trader met by Kompas.com claimed to have been selling for two decades. “It’s been about 20 years,” said Riski (19), one of the keepers of a bird stall named Kalista Pet, when met on Thursday. He mentioned that the types of birds sold are quite diverse, ranging from Australian budgerigars, lovebirds, doves, to owls.