PALMOILMAGAZINE, ACEH TAMIANG — The Ministry of Forestry, together with the Garuda Task Force for Forest Area Management (PKH), the Indonesian Police, Armed Forces (TNI), local governments of Aceh Tamiang and Langkat, and local communities, has begun efforts to restore forest functions in Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL). The initiative was marked by the clearing of 59.32 hectares of illegal oil palm plantations and the start of rehabilitation efforts on Thursday (September 4).
The first phase of clearing was carried out in Bahorok (10 ha) and Tenggulun (19.32 ha) between September 1–10, 2025. Similar actions will follow in Batang Serangan (30 ha) and Tenggulun (300 ha). Oil palms aged 2–12 years were removed using chainsaws in Bahorok and heavy equipment in Tenggulun.
The event was witnessed by representatives from the Ministry of Forestry, PKH Task Force, Aceh Tamiang regional leaders, the Forest Area Consolidation Agency (BPKH) Region I Medan, sub-district officials, local communities, and several NGOs. Symbolically, tree planting was also carried out at the site to mark the start of ecosystem recovery.
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Some illegal landholders had previously surrendered their plots, including PT SSR (0.63 ha) and an individual identified as AS (18.69 ha) in Tenggulun on August 13, 2025, as well as community-owned lands in Rembah Waren and Paten Kuda, Bahorok, on April 28, 2025.
Subhan, Head of the Gunung Leuser National Park Authority, explained that the restored areas will be replanted with wildlife feed crops and boundary plants. Conservation partners such as the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (OIC), Leuser Conservation Forum, and Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari have pledged voluntary support for restoration.
Dwi Januanto Nugroho, Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with the PKH Task Force, local governments, and conservation partners. “We will continue to prioritize integrated law enforcement measures to ensure optimal forest recovery,” he said in a statement quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com on Monday (September 8, 2025).
Major General Dody Triwinarto, Commander of the PKH Garuda Task Force, praised community members who voluntarily returned illegal palm lands. According to him, public participation is key to accelerating forest restoration in TNGL.
Meanwhile, Rudianto Saragih Napitu, Director of Forestry Crime Enforcement, noted that prior to this initiative, the Forestry Law Enforcement unit (Gakkumhut) had conducted six illegal logging eradication operations and one security recovery operation in Tenggulun and Langkat. “Collaboration among all stakeholders will continue to be strengthened to regain control of TNGL and restore its ecosystem,” he concluded. (P2)
