Prabowo allocates Rp839 billion to mitigate elephant conflicts at Way Kambas

Jakarta (ANTARA) — President Prabowo Subianto has allocated a budget of up to Rp839 billion for constructing fencing and embankments around Way Kambas National Park in Lampung Province, as an effort to resolve the long-standing conflict between elephants and humans in the region.

The policy was announced by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni following a limited meeting chaired by President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday.

“Recently, a few months ago, a village chief was trampled to death by an elephant as it attempted to enter or cross through villages, residential areas, and agricultural land,” Raja Juli said, recounting one of the potential human-elephant conflicts at Way Kambas.

He stated that the construction plan represents a direct directive from President Prabowo Subianto to protect wildlife whilst simultaneously enhancing public safety in areas surrounding the national park.

According to Raja Juli, the President had previously indicated that funding for the project could reach a maximum of Rp2 trillion. However, following technical studies and efficiency efforts, the budget requirement is estimated at approximately Rp839 billion.

“In London at that time, the President stated that a maximum of Rp2 trillion would be allocated for fencing and embankments at Way Kambas, along with ecosystem restoration. However, we studied and made efficiency improvements, and it turns out approximately Rp839 billion maximum is needed,” he said.

He explained that the construction of fencing and embankments aims to prevent elephants from leaving the conservation area and entering residential areas and agricultural land.

According to Raja Juli, the government is currently conducting pilot testing of fence and embankment designs by studying experiences from several countries such as African nations and India in managing wildlife conservation areas.

Beyond functioning as a boundary for the area, the infrastructure is also planned to form part of a community empowerment programme.

At various points, he said, the areas surrounding the fencing will be utilised for economic activities such as honey bee cultivation.

“Thus, nature is preserved, wildlife is protected, whilst also being beneficial for the economic growth of the community itself,” Raja Juli said.