PALMOILMAGAZINE, PELALAWAN — Indonesia’s Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) has intensified its crackdown on illegal deforestation in Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN), Pelalawan, by seizing two excavators suspected of being used for unlawful land clearing. The operation, carried out on Monday (June 9, 2025), underscores the government’s renewed commitment to halting rampant forest encroachment.
According to Satgas PKH representative Toeny Wijaya, the two Hitachi PC 200 excavators were found actively clearing land in Kampung Pandawa, Bukit Kesuma Village, Pangkalan Kuras District. The equipment is allegedly owned by Nelson Pakpahan and Cirus Sinaga, both of whom are now under investigation.
“This is not just an administrative offense—it’s a deliberate attempt to convert protected forest into oil palm plantations,” said Toeny, quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com via Riau Mandiri, Wednesday (June 11, 2025).
Also Read: Strong Government Action Begins: Defense Minister Launches Task Force to Reclaim Tesso Nilo Forest
The seizure followed a routine patrol by the Satgas Garuda PKH team, which encountered the excavators in action. Upon detecting the presence of authorities, the operators fled into the forest, leaving the machines running.
While the operators escaped, the team detained two individuals: Ramadhani, a site foreman, and Ervan Efendi, a plantation worker. Both were taken to the Satgas PKH command post for questioning.
“Once we received the report, our intelligence team moved in swiftly. We’re now tracing the network behind this operation,” Toeny added.
This enforcement action comes as the ecological status of Tesso Nilo reaches a critical tipping point. Once a vital habitat for endangered Sumatran elephants and numerous rare species, more than 65,000 of its 81,700 hectares have been converted into illegal oil palm plantations—most under the control of powerful investors.
The Task Force is operating under the authority of Law No. 41/1999 on Forestry and Law No. 5/1990 on Natural Resource Conservation, which prescribe 1–5 years of imprisonment and fines up to IDR 2.5 billion for forest encroachment. Perpetrators may also face additional penalties, including compensation for environmental damage, mandatory restoration, and business license revocation in corporate cases.
The operation took place just one day before the scheduled visit of Defense Minister (Ret.) Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Chair of the Satgas PKH Advisory Board, who is spearheading national efforts to reclaim and restore TNTN.
However, the crackdown has triggered social concerns among local communities who have farmed within the park boundaries for years. Residents fear losing their livelihood without compensation.
As a response, Satgas PKH plans to begin with community outreach and education, prioritizing dialogue with smallholder farmers. But for major actors and corporations, firm legal action will be the standard approach.
“This is about the future of our forests. If we don’t act now, we’ll be left with nothing but stories,” Toeny concluded. (P2)