President Prabowo to Implement Presidential Instruction to Save Sumatran and Bornean Elephants

Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto is preparing a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) concerning the rescue of elephant populations and habitats as a serious form of state intervention to prevent the extinction threat to protected wildlife.

This was conveyed by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday, following his attendance at a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto.

“The first Inpres is about saving the population and habitat of Sumatran elephants and Bornean elephants,” he said, explaining the topic of the limited meeting at the Jakarta Palace.

He stated that this policy aims to strengthen efforts to rescue elephant populations, particularly Sumatran and Kalimantan elephants, which currently face severe pressure due to habitat destruction.

According to Raja Juli, scientific data shows that the number of elephant habitat pockets in Indonesia has experienced a significant decline, from the previously recorded 42 habitat pockets, now only approximately 21 remain.

“If there is no serious intervention from the government, then the destruction of these elephant habitat pockets becomes inevitable. Consequently, the elephant population as one of Indonesia’s protected species and iconic wildlife species has the potential to face extinction,” he said.

Through the Inpres, according to Raja Juli, the President will issue instructions to various relevant ministries and agencies to support the Forestry Ministry’s efforts in rescuing elephant populations.

One of the measures being prepared, he said, is the establishment of elephant corridors in various habitat regions. These corridors will be built in plantation areas that already have production forest concessions (HGU), enabling elephants to move from one habitat pocket to another without being obstructed by human activity.

Additionally, the government also plans to improve connectivity within habitat pockets that have already become fragmented.

This measure, according to Raja Juli, is important for expanding elephant range whilst preventing inbreeding that could have negative impacts on population sustainability.

Raja Juli added that this policy demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to protecting wildlife and Indonesia’s forest ecosystems.

He also mentioned that various conservation activists view this step as evidence of the government’s seriousness in strengthening protection for national iconic wildlife.