Forest Area Task Force Urges Public Cooperation to Protect Forests

The Forest Area Order Task Force (Satgas PKH) is inviting the public to work together to protect forests from irresponsible parties for the benefit of future generations.

Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, acting as the First Vice Chairman of the Satgas PKH Steering Committee, stated that the task force cannot operate alone in protecting forest areas. He noted that the greatest strength in law enforcement lies in public support.

“We invite all elements of society to stand together with Satgas PKH to guard and fight for our forests and natural wealth, as they are a heritage intended for our children and grandchildren,” he said during an event for the Handover of Administrative Fines, State Financial Recovery, and Re-possession of Forest Areas by Satgas PKH at the Attorney General’s Office Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

On this occasion, the Attorney General symbolically handed over funds resulting from Satgas PKH enforcement operations, totalling Rp13.2 trillion, to the state.

In his presentation, the Attorney General explained that the funds originated from the collection of administrative fines in the forestry sector by Satugas PKH amounting to Rp3,475,738,523,741.13, as well as Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) from the handling of special crimes amounting to Rp1,535,750,234,271.

Furthermore, Satgas PKH also handed over 259,230.73 hectares of forest area land, reclaimed during the eighth phase of handover, to the Ministry of Forestry.

These hundreds of thousands of hectares of land consist of 140,762.04 hectares in the plantation sector; 118,256.74 hectares of forest areas comprising forest conservation and protected forest areas; and 211.95 hectares in the mining sector.