Forest fire team uncovers illegal encroachment in Ketapang

Pontianak (ANTARA) - A joint team handling forest and land fires has discovered suspected illegal encroachment in the Conversion Production Forest area of Sungai Awan Kiri village, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan.

“During the operation, the team secured one Sumitomo S130 excavator along with two individuals with the initials W and WN, who are suspected of involvement in the illegal clearing of the forest area,” said Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho in Pontianak on Monday.

He explained that the joint team comprised the Forestry Law Enforcement Centre for the Kalimantan Region, the West Kalimantan Environment and Forestry Service, the Ketapang Selatan Forest Management Unit, Muara Pawan Police, and the Delta Pawan Military Post.

The discovery of the activity began when officers were carrying out forest and land fire suppression in Sungai Awan Kiri village, which was reported to have been burning since mid-August 2026.

While extinguishing and preventing the fires, officers found land clearing using heavy equipment within the Conversion Production Forest area.

Based on preliminary examination, the activity is suspected to have created a ditch 2.5 metres wide and approximately 1,050 metres long, as well as a road body six metres wide and roughly 1,050 metres long.

“The two individuals secured along with the heavy equipment are undergoing questioning, while the party suspected of being the landowner is still being summoned to provide testimony,” he said.

Dwi Januanto Nugroho expressed regret that forest destruction activity was found at a time when the joint team was grappling with the fires.

“We are seriously committed to taking firm action against all perpetrators of environmental and forestry crimes, whether individuals, financiers, or corporations involved,” he said.

Head of the Kalimantan Region Forestry Law Enforcement Centre Leonardo Gultom said the case came to light thanks to the joint team’s preparedness while monitoring the development of forest and land fires in the Ketapang area.

According to him, investigators are still probing the possible involvement of other parties, including financiers and landowners suspected of being connected to the forest clearing activity.

“For the suspected offence, the perpetrators may be charged under forestry legislation, with a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Rp7.5 billion,” he said.