Forest damage in TNKS Section VI Bengkulu reaches 10,000 hectares

The management of Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) Section VI Bengkulu has stated that forest damage in the region has now reached 10,000 hectares out of a total area of 340,575 hectares. Head of National Park Management Section VI Bengkulu, Nur Hamidi, said on Sunday that the damage to thousands of hectares of the conservation area was triggered by illegal logging and encroachment for agricultural land. “Based on data collection and satellite imagery from several years ago, the damaged area of TNKS Section VI Bengkulu reached 10,000 hectares. This damage is due to illegal logging and land clearing for agriculture,” he said. According to Nur Hamidi, the total area of TNKS Section VI Bengkulu, which reaches 340,575 hectares, is spread across four regencies in Bengkulu Province, including Rejang Lebong Regency covering 41,066 hectares and Lebong Regency covering 111,035 hectares. It also covers North Bengkulu Regency with an area of 68,921.95 hectares and Mukomuko Regency with an area reaching 119,552.05 hectares. He added that forest damage in the TNKS Section VI Bengkulu area, besides being caused by illegal logging, is also triggered by shifting agricultural cultivation and coffee plantations by the community. To prevent the expansion of damage to the TNKS area, his party continues to intensify forest security patrols together with relevant stakeholders in each regency. In addition, they also routinely conduct socialisation regarding the importance of preserving TNKS to residents living around the buffer zone. His party is also undertaking ecosystem restoration efforts through a replanting programme of endemic trees at several points that were previously encroached upon so that the forest condition can return to its original state. On the other hand, the TNKS Office is also opening a resolution space through cooperation with residents who have already opened land within the area via a conservation partnership scheme.