PALMOILMAGAZINE, CIAMIS — Social media has once again been stirred by a viral video highlighting the presence of oil palm trees in what is claimed to be a water catchment area in Sukasari Village, Tambaksari District, Ciamis Regency, West Java.
The 47-second clip, uploaded by TikTok account @sitinurhasanah679, shows rows of oil palm trees which the narrator alleges are growing inside a protected water recharge zone. In the video, the person recording directly questions the stance of the West Java Provincial Government and even mentions the governor by name.
“Mr. Dedi, how can this be? There are oil palm trees in a water catchment area,” the narrator says in the recording.
Also Read: North Sumatra Palm FFB Prices Strengthen, Up IDR 57.14/kg in Third Week of January 2026
The video quickly triggered strong reactions from netizens. Many voiced concern that oil palm cultivation in a water recharge zone could pose a serious environmental risk and urged the authorities to take immediate action.
However, a number of users also cautioned against drawing conclusions too quickly. Several comments questioned the official spatial status of the land and called for clarification on whether the area is genuinely designated as protected, or instead privately owned land that is legally permitted for cultivation.
Amid West Java’s policy restricting oil palm expansion, the emergence of existing plantations on the ground is increasingly seen as reflecting weaknesses in plantation mapping, data verification, and field supervision. In Ciamis Regency, the total area and legal status of oil palm plantings have yet to be fully and officially verified.
Also Read: Smallholders Monetize RSPO Credits, Fund Orangutan Conservation in Central Kalimantan
As of this report, neither the Ciamis Regency Government nor relevant agencies have issued an official statement regarding the plantation in Sukasari Village—whether in terms of zoning function, land legality, or its compliance with prevailing spatial planning regulations.
Without clear data and a formal response from the authorities, controversy surrounding oil palm cultivation in environmentally sensitive zones such as water catchment areas is expected to continue fueling public debate. (*)
Written by Zaenal Abidin
