Regent Jeje Ritchie Ismail backs Dedi Mulyadi's move to halt land-use changes in forest areas

Bandung Barat Regent Jeje Ritchie Ismail welcomed the West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi’s circular on controlling land-use changes in forest and plantation areas. He said the policy is important to prevent damage to forests and plantations. As is known, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi issued Circular Letter No. 60/PEM.04.04.01/ASDA EKBANG, which asks regency and city governments to stop permits for tourism and housing development in forest and plantation areas to curb the risk of natural disasters. ‘We welcome the Governor’s guidance on land-use change control, forests and plantations,’ Jeje said when contacted on Thursday (21/5/2026). Jeje said Bandung Barat has a diverse geographic character, ranging from mountainous areas, water catchments to tourist zones that require close oversight to prevent land-use changes on a massive scale, especially to avoid damaging the environment. According to him, uncontrolled land-use changes could trigger hydrometeorological disasters such as landslides and floods that have lately occurred in several Bandung Barat areas. The Bandung Barat regency government will tighten oversight and permit issuance. ‘As we know, Bandung Barat has very diverse areas. From mountains, water catchments and several tourist areas that still require attention. If uncontrolled land-use changes occur, the impacts could cause disasters. In future we will conduct supervision so that development truly complies with spatial planning rules,’ Jeje said. In Bandung Barat, the number of outdoor recreational sites or outdoor facilities is growing and dominating hillside areas, particularly in pine forest areas. ‘We understand that development must continue, but we must also consider environmental impacts. So we aim to balance development and environmental preservation,’ he said. The West Java Provincial Government previously issued Governor Regulation No. 11 of 2025 on Land-Use Change Control, which regulates supervision up to land restoration in West Java. Jeje said the region will continue coordinating with the West Java Provincial Government to evaluate and supervise developments that may damage the environment. ‘We will also continue coordinating, evaluating, supervising and continue to work with the provincial government,’ Jeje said.