Indonesian Parliament Supports Central and Regional Governments in Protecting Tesso Nilo National Park
Jakarta – The commitment of both central and regional governments to protect forest conservation areas has received strong support from the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI). One of the main focuses is the rescue of Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) in Riau Province, which has suffered severe degradation due to encroachment and illegal oil palm plantations.
Director General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, stated that the 81,739-hectare area of TNTN is under serious threat, with around 40,000 hectares already cleared and illegally planted with palm oil by irresponsible parties.
“We are supported by all stakeholders to rehabilitate the forest area using a comprehensive and humane approach,” Dwi said.
He noted that TNTN is part of a national strategic program under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, which targets the recovery of 3.7 million hectares of misused forest land. Initial results from this program are scheduled to be announced on Indonesia’s Independence Day, August 17, 2025.
The restoration of TNTN will be carried out using labor-intensive schemes, ecosystem restoration, and comprehensive law enforcement. One of the supporting components is the Garuda Task Force, which is involved in the operation to enforce and rehabilitate the area.
Support for this effort also comes from the Riau Regional Police. Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan confirmed that his department has taken action against encroachers, including the arrest of a traditional leader suspected of selling conservation land under the pretense of customary (ulayat) rights. The arrest was carried out by the Forest Encroachment Response Task Force (PPH) as part of their Green Policing strategy.
“There can be no tolerance for anyone who commercializes conservation areas for personal gain, even under the guise of customary claims. TNTN is an ecological heritage that must be preserved for future generations,” Herry firmly stated.
The Police Chief added that the state does not oppose ulayat rights or the customary structures in Riau. However, state intervention is necessary when such claims are misused to damage the environment. He stressed that Green Policing is not merely about enforcement but also about building legal and ecological awareness within communities.
From the parliamentary side, support for saving TNTN was voiced by Gerindra Party lawmaker Muhammad Rahul. He expressed full support for the decisive actions taken by the government and law enforcement to protect TNTN from illegal practices.
“In Commission III of the DPR RI, we appreciate all efforts to uphold the rule of law and preserve the environment. But we also emphasize that the process must be carried out transparently, humanely, and in favor of social justice,” Rahul stated.
He emphasized that managing conservation areas should not only focus on enforcement but must also incorporate social and participatory approaches, so that local communities become part of the environmental protection solution.
The law enforcement efforts underway in TNTN serve as a symbol of the state’s resistance to environmental crimesthat have harmed biodiversity and damaged vital ecosystems. With synergy between the central and regional governments, law enforcement agencies, and political support from parliament, the hope for restoring and protecting strategic forest areas like TNTN is becoming increasingly tangible.
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