Forest Fire Task Force Seizes Heavy Machinery in Kaliorang Forest Area

The Forest and Land Fire Task Force (Satgas Karhutla) of the Kaliorang District secured heavy machinery found operating within the Mata Air Batu Putih Camp 3 forest area, located in the Sembulo Mandiri Preparation Village, Kaliorang District, East Kutai Regency, on Tuesday (15/09/2026).

The discovery drew the attention of the Task Force as heavy machinery activity in forest areas is potentially linked to illegal land clearing. The seizure was conducted as an initial step to prevent the expansion of activities that could trigger environmental damage or forest and land fires.

The field operation involved several parties, including Forest Police (Polhut) from KPHP Manubar, Kaliorang territorial officers (Babinsa), Kaliorang Police, the Kaliorang Fire Care Community (MPA), KARCA, and local residents.

The Acting Head of Kaliorang District, Pitriani, stated that the district government and relevant agencies first required the landowners and workers to sign a written statement promising not to return to land clearing or any other activities within the forest area.

“Our first step is to have them sign a statement that they will not reopen land or conduct any further activities in the forest area, both for the landowners and the employees. If they violate this, they will face legal proceedings,” said Pitriani.

She added that the response would not end with the seizure of the machinery. The Kaliorang District Government will also coordinate with agencies that hold the authority for forest area management and law enforcement in the forestry sector.

The district authorities will report the findings to KPHP Manubar and the Law Enforcement Unit (Gakkum) of the Provincial Forestry Service for further action according to their respective jurisdictions.

“The report will be submitted to KPHP Manubar and the Provincial Forestry Service’s Law Enforcement Unit so that this finding can be followed up,” she said.

Pitriani expressed hope that this joint effort would strengthen forest area supervision in the Kaliorang District and prevent land clearing activities that could increase the risk of forest and land fires.

She noted that the involvement of the community alongside authorities and relevant agencies is crucial to ensuring forest areas remain protected, especially amidst ongoing efforts to prevent forest and land fires.

“This case must be monitored together to protect our forests, which are the hope of our community,” she concluded.