Government to Save Sumatran and Kalimantan Elephants, with Only 21 Habitat Pockets Remaining

JAKARTA — Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has affirmed that the government will focus on saving the populations and habitats of Sumatran and Kalimantan elephants, which are currently in an endangered status. This step is being taken through the newly issued Presidential Instruction on the Rescue of Populations and Habitats of Sumatran and Kalimantan Elephants. Raja Juli Antoni stated that the number of elephant habitat pockets continues to shrink dramatically. Currently, only 21 habitat pockets remain, down from a previous 42. “This Presidential Instruction demonstrates a very strong commitment from President Prabowo Subianto to save our elephants. Our main focus is on how to execute these ideas in a concrete manner on the ground. Future development governance must be fully oriented towards conservation,” said Raja Juli Antoni in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday. According to him, one of the important points in the Instruction is the integration of infrastructure development with the protection of wildlife living spaces. He cited, for example, that road toll construction by the Ministry of Public Works must consider the map of elephant roaming areas or home ranges prepared by the Ministry of Forestry. The government will also mandate technical solutions such as the construction of underpasses or animal tunnels so that elephant groups can still move without being disturbed by human activities. Raja Juli Antoni has ordered his subordinates to maintain and improve the quality of ecosystems in the 21 remaining elephant habitat pockets. One of the main strategies prepared by the government is the construction of wildlife corridors to connect fragmented habitat pockets due to land use changes or illegal activities. According to him, the government will also strengthen the conservation data base through the Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (SRAK), including setting measurable targets for increasing elephant populations in the coming years.