Vice Minister of Forestry: Presidential Instruction Will Ensure Companies Protect Elephant Range Areas
Jakarta – Vice Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki stated that a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) on elephant population conservation will ensure coordination between the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut), permit holders, and local governments in protecting elephant range areas outside conservation zones.
Speaking after the 43rd Forest Service Day ceremony in Jakarta on Monday, Vice Minister Rohmat explained that the planned Presidential Instruction on conservation of Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) and Borneo elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) populations and habitats represents President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
“This presidential instruction will enable collaboration among various ministries, agencies, and local governments to save elephant habitats and populations. Currently, Sumatran and Kalimantan elephant habitats are fragmented,” explained Vice Minister Rohmat Marzuki.
“Elephant habitats are not limited to forest areas but are also located within palm oil plantation concessions. Through this instruction, we will encourage cooperation to build habitat corridors within palm oil plantations and similarly within mining concessions,” said Vice Minister Rohmat.
Through the instruction, he stated, the government intends to ensure permit holders commit to protecting elephant corridors and habitats within their operational areas. Both elephant species in Indonesia are classified as protected due to their declining populations.
The policy is considered critical given the significant reduction in elephant habitat pockets in recent decades. He specifically highlighted the decline in elephant habitat zones to just 21 remaining areas from the previous 42 zones.
Through this instruction, the President will direct relevant ministries and agencies to support the Ministry of Forestry in protecting elephant populations, including establishing preservation areas and habitat corridors that enable elephants to move between habitat pockets and prevent population fragmentation.