IUCN values Forestry Minister's ability to maintain human-elephant coexistence

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed that Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni is capable of maintaining human-elephant coexistence through conservation policies designed to protect the population of the trunked animals. Heidi Riddle, Chair of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, said in Jakarta on Thursday that Minister Raja Juli Antoni possesses a strong understanding of the various fundamental challenges in elephant conservation in Indonesia. The assessment was delivered after the two discussed the policy direction for protecting elephant populations. ‘I am impressed with his understanding of the root problems facing elephant conservation, from the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity, building coexistence between humans and elephants, to the need to involve various sectors beyond forestry in safeguarding the future of elephant populations. From the discussion, the minister’s very strong commitment to strengthening elephant conservation efforts in Indonesia was also clearly evident,’ she said. According to her, the challenges faced by Indonesia are also experienced by almost all elephant range countries in Asia, making the approach taken by Indonesia an important example in building cross-sector coordination. She added that Presidential Instruction Number 8 of 2026 is a continuation of Indonesia’s long journey in strengthening elephant conservation through a landscape-based approach and inter-sector collaboration. Previously, President Prabowo Subianto issued Presidential Instruction Number 8 of 2026 concerning the Rescue of the Sumatran Elephant and Kalimantan Elephant Population and Habitat. The policy is a strategic government step to ensure wildlife protection amidst ongoing national development. Raja Juli explained that the Presidential Instruction regulates the involvement of various sectors so that the rescue of elephant populations and habitats is protected alongside continuing development. If infrastructure development such as roads crosses elephant home ranges, wildlife corridors must be prepared so that elephant movement is not disrupted. ‘If, for example, the Ministry of Public Works builds a road and it disturbs the elephant’s home range, then a separate corridor must be built. Likewise, if a plantation enters an elephant roaming route, space must be vacated and even enriched to become a preservation area so that elephants can still move in their habitat with sufficient food,’ said Raja Juli. The Presidential Instruction involves nine ministers in the rescue of elephant populations and habitats, namely the Minister of Forestry, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, and Minister of Public Works. Also involved are the Minister of Environment, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board. In addition, the Indonesian National Police along with governors, regents, and mayors in Sumatra and North Kalimantan are also participating in this instruction.