Forestry Ministry to Deploy Drones for Early Detection of Illegal Logging

The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, is encouraging the use of the latest technology to strengthen forest monitoring and accelerate the early detection of various issues in the field. The use of drone technology is considered capable of helping officers obtain data and map forest conditions more quickly and accurately. “We need technology. Drones, for example, can help our ground troops (Forestry Ministry UPT teams) to identify problems that arise in the field,” said Raja Juli Antoni. This was conveyed by Minister Raja Antoni during a meeting with PT Dirgantara Indonesia at the Ministry of Forestry office on Monday (20/7). The Minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki and other directorate general officials, while PT Dirgantara Indonesia was represented by President Director Gita Amperiawan, Production Director Dena Hendriana, and Technology and Risk Management Director Ony Arifianto. According to the Minister, strengthening technology is a crucial part of improving the speed of forest area monitoring. He noted that drones can be used to detect indications of illegal logging, land clearing, illegal mining activities, and hotspots more quickly. The Minister added that routine monitoring allows potential disturbances in forest areas to be identified early. Data and information obtained from this monitoring can then be forwarded to the Directorate General of Law Enforcement or other relevant technical units for follow-up action. Minister Raja Antoni also mentioned that thermal drone technology could support the monitoring of hotspots and wildlife. The Ministry of Forestry will evaluate the effectiveness of existing drone units, including those in the fields of planology and natural resources and ecosystem conservation, before deciding on the need to strengthen or upgrade the technology.