Ministry of Forestry Halts Forest Encroachment for Plantation Development in Wajo, South Sulawesi

Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has successfully halted encroachment activities in a production forest zone in Wajo District, South Sulawesi that was allegedly being converted into plantation land.

Ali Bahri, Head of the Regional Forest Law Enforcement Office (Gakkum) for Sulawesi at the Ministry of Forestry, stated in a confirmation from Jakarta on Friday that his office, together with the Regional Technical Implementation Unit for Forest Management (UPTD KPH) Awota, conducted the enforcement action in Passelloreng Village and discovered encroachment on approximately 9 hectares of land.

“Production forest zones retain an important role in maintaining ecological balance and sustainable forest management practices. All forms of forest zone utilisation must have valid legal permits and proper legal basis,” stated Ali Bahri, Head of the Sulawesi Regional Law Enforcement Office.

“We urge the public not to conduct activities within forest zones without proper legal documentation, as the legal consequences are very serious and could potentially cause long-term environmental damage,” he added.

He explained that during the enforcement operation, the team discovered two heavy equipment operators with initials A and SY operating two excavators for land clearing. At the same location, a man with initials S was also apprehended, who served as the field supervisor.

The land clearing was found to be intended to convert the forest zone function into plantation land. The activity was carried out without any documentation legalising forest zone utilisation.

Based on investigation and case review results, S was designated as a suspect for allegedly playing an active role in coordinating and supervising the land clearing activities within the forest zone. For his actions, the suspect faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to 5 billion rupiah.