Kemenhut's Gakkum names two suspects in illegal logging at Mangolo TWA

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Kemenhut), through the Law Enforcement Office for the Sumatra Region, has named two suspects in illegal logging within the Mangolo Nature Tourism Area (TWA Mangolo) in Southeast Sulawesi Province. Dwi Januanto Nugroho, the Director-General of Law Enforcement (Gakkum) at Kemenhut, said in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday that two individuals, identified as ES and AA, are suspected of illegally felling around 23 trees over a period of about three days. ‘Conservation areas have a protection mandate that cannot be negotiated. Law enforcement must send a clear message that unlawfully taking forest products from protected areas is a serious violation of public interests. The state sides with the people, with wildlife losing habitat, and with future generations who deserve to inherit forests that remain intact,’ he said. He noted officers seized evidence including dozens of processed ulin wood logs, two parang, and two saws believed to be used in illegal logging within the conservation area. The case originated from a routine patrol by officers from the Southeast Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) on 30 April 2026, around the Mangolo TWA. During the patrol, officers found a pile of timber near the Sakuli Dam within the conservation area. Because the timber’s origin was suspicious, officers traced the forest area. In the course of this search, the officers heard the sound of a chainsaw from inside the area. The sound led officers to suspected illegal logging activity in Mangolo TWA. In initial field investigations, AA admitted that the pile of wood found near the Sakuli Dam was his. The two suspects were subsequently taken to the Kendari Post Office, Makassar Regional Section, Gakkumhut Sulawesi Office, for further legal proceedings. In questioning, suspect ES admitted to illegal logging for home renovation, but the activity took place in a conservation area with special legal protection. Investigators also pursued information that ES had previously been counselled by officials regarding wood processing activities in Mangolo TWA in 2025 to prevent a recurrence. Suspect AA claimed that the felled timber was intended for sale. This further strengthens the suspicion of illegal utilisation of forest products from the conservation area for economic gain. Ali Bahri, head of the Sulawesi Enforcement Center, said the case demonstrates the importance of state presence at the ground through patrols, rapid detection, and synergy in safeguarding conservation areas. ‘This case shows that ground-level patrols are crucial. BKSDA Southeast Sulawesi officers read early signs in the field — namely a pile of timber near the Sakuli Dam — and then the sound of a chainsaw coming from inside the area. From this investigation, officers found illegal logging activity, processed timber, machetes, and chainsaws suspected of being used in the Mangolo TWA,’ he said. He stressed that the Sulawesi Gakkumhut office is handling this case seriously and strengthening synergy with BKSDA Southeast Sulawesi and other related agencies, so violations in conservation areas are detected quickly, halted promptly, and not repeated.