Khofifah Applauds Seven East Java Representatives for Winning 2026 National Wana Lestari Awards
Surabaya (ANTARA) - The Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, has commended seven representatives from East Java for achieving the 2026 National Wana Lestari awards, securing three First Best, three Second Best, and one Third Hopeful distinction.
“Alhamdulillah, seven representatives from East Java have achieved proud accomplishments at the national level. On behalf of the East Java Provincial Government and the entire community, I express my congratulations and gratitude for the extraordinary dedication in maintaining forest sustainability while simultaneously empowering the community,” said East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa in Surabaya on Tuesday.
The three East Java representatives who achieved the First Best distinction are Johan Prasetyo, S.Hut., from the Jabalnusra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency in the Forest Police (Polhut) category; Hendro Supeno from Wringin Putih Village, Muncar District, Banyuwangi Regency, in the Community Self-Reliance Forestry Extension (PKSM) category; and the Sumber Lestari Forest Farmer Group (KTH) led by Sungkono from Samar Village, Pagerwojo District, Tulungagung Regency.
Meanwhile, three East Java representatives achieved the Second Best distinction: Rudiyanto in the Nature Conservation Cadre (KKA) category; the Pelita Nature Lovers Group (KPA) in the Nature Lovers Group category; and the Wilis Sejahtera Village Institution from Madiun Regency in the Village Forest Management Approval Holder (HD) category.
One additional award was achieved by KP Lesung Gemilang Sejahtera with the national Third Hopeful distinction in the Community Forest Management Approval Holder (HKm) category.
Khofifah stated that these achievements demonstrate that forest conservation in East Java has evolved into a collective movement involving both the government and the community.
“These award recipients are real examples that forest conservation can go hand in hand with increasing productivity and community welfare. Sustainable forests provide not only ecological benefits but also sustainable social and economic benefits,” she said.
Five awards in the KTH, PKSM, Polhut, KKA, and KPA categories were presented by the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, during the 2026 National Wana Lestari Award Exemplary Work Meeting in Jakarta.
As for the Village Forest and Community Forest categories, the awards were presented by the Director General of Social Forestry, Catur Endah Prasetiani, as part of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday (13/8).
Nationally, the 2026 Wana Lestari Awards were presented to 63 recipients across 20 categories. Khofifah hopes that the recipients from East Java can expand and replicate good forest management practices in other regions.
“This award is not the finish line. Rather, after receiving this award, the good practices that have been implemented must be further expanded, replicated, and shared with other groups and regions,” she said.