225 New Huts Found, Humane Request for Controlling the Soeharto Hill Tahura

SAMARINDA, GARISBUMI.com – Management of the Tahura Bukit Soeharto conservation area, especially Bukit Tengkorak, is asked to continue to prioritize a humanist approach and education for the community. Based on data collected by the Indonesian Capital City Authority (OIKN), at least 225 new huts were discovered in the area, accompanied by forest clearing activities.

Deputy Governor of East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Seno Aji emphasized the importance of understanding the background of the existence of the people in the Tahura area before resolving the issue of regional status.

This was conveyed at the Coordination Meeting for Follow-up Control of the Bukit Tengkorak Conservation Area chaired by the Head of OIKN Basuki Hadimuljono at the OIKN Office, Thursday (1/10/2026).

"This is one vision. Tahura Bukit Soeharto is the lungs of Kalimantan which we must protect together. We must restore the function of this Tahura properly," said Seno.

According to him, protection of conservation areas needs to go hand in hand with efforts to provide understanding to the community regarding the status of the area where they live.

Changes in Area Size Are a Concern

Seno explained that the problems of the people in Tahura Bukit Soeharto cannot be separated from the history of extensive changes in the area.

According to his explanation, the area which was originally set at around 27,000 hectares in 1980 changed to 64,000 hectares in 1987. The area then became around 61,000 hectares in 1991, before returning to around 64,000 hectares.

"This is what we have to understand, why people are in the Tahura area. Maybe not only in Bukit Tengkorak, but it also happens in other places," he said.

Seno hopes that control will be accompanied by education because some people may not yet know the status of the area they live in.

"Therefore, the public must be well educated," he said.

He admitted that harmonizing the status of dozens of villages in the Tahura area was not an easy job. The East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Provincial Government stated that it was ready to work with OIKN and law enforcement officials to resolve this problem.

Tahura Protection Supports the IKN Forest City Concept

Head of OIKN Basuki Hadimuljono emphasized that the rescue of Tahura Bukit Soeharto was carried out in accordance with statutory provisions and in line with the concept of IKN as a forest city.

According to Basuki, around 50 percent of the IKN area is maintained as green open space. Tahura protection is a common interest that requires the involvement of various parties.

"It is not only OIKN's authority. There are around 34 percent of Tahura that need to be saved," said Basuki.

He emphasized that handling this area would still be carried out with a humanist approach.

Previously, a joint OIKN team carried out control in the Bukit Tengkorak area. Data collection that found at least 225 new huts along with forest clearing activities were part of the issues that were followed up at the coordination meeting.