BRIN Strengthens Scientific Support to Maximise Forestry Law Enforcement

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is strengthening scientific support for forestry law enforcement through its participation in the Leverage 2026 Project Board Meeting (PBM) at the Soekarno Science and Technology Park (KST) in Cibinong. The involvement is part of efforts to enhance biodiversity protection and sustainable ecosystem management. Leverage, which stands for Law Enforcement for Sustainable Viable Ecosystems and Biodiversity Resilience through Multi-Sector Engagement, is a cross-sector collaboration project aimed at strengthening law enforcement to protect biodiversity from the threat of extinction. The programme also encourages behavioural change in wildlife conservation, public health, and gender equality through a science-based approach. Head of the BRIN Biosystematics and Evolution Research Centre, Arif Nurkanto, stated that BRIN has a strategic role in providing research-based scientific support to strengthen policy formulation in the field of conservation and environmental law enforcement. “BRIN continues to strengthen biodiversity research while developing scientific capacity. This step is part of efforts to support ecosystem protection, wildlife conservation, and sustainable environmental management,” Arif said on Monday (7/6). According to him, effective policy must be supported by strong data and research results. Therefore, collaboration between research institutions, the government, and development partners needs to be continuously strengthened. During the meeting, participants also discussed the importance of wildlife reference collections to support research and law enforcement. Head of the BRIN Scientific Collection Services Function Team, Tri Eko Wahjono, said that scientific collections not only function for specimen preservation but also provide data and scientific services for researchers, academics, and strategic partners. “Scientific collections are an important part of the national research infrastructure that supports biodiversity, biosystematics, conservation, and scientific development research,” he said. Participants also visited the BRIN Genomics Building to view genomic research, molecular biology, and biomolecular technology facilities. The Leverage PBM brought together representatives from ministries, government agencies, research institutions, and international development partners to evaluate programme progress and prepare the 2026 implementation work plan and budget. The forum also discussed strengthening programme implementation, particularly in handling wildlife crime, ecosystem conservation, zoonosis risk mitigation, and institutional capacity building through cross-sector collaboration. Arif affirmed that BRIN will continue to strengthen synergy with various stakeholders to support environmental law enforcement and sustainable development based on science and innovation.