Sumatran Elephant Corridor in Bukit Tigapuluh Strengthened, Residents Around the Forest Involved

JAMBI, GARISBUMI.com – Sumatran elephants need paths that remain connected to find food, get water and reproduce. In the Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape, which stretches across Jambi and Riau, efforts to maintain the route must involve communities living around elephant habitats.

The Ministry of Forestry said it would strengthen protection of elephant corridors in the area through monitoring movement routes, improving habitat and developing livelihood options for residents. This step was discussed when Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni visited the Elephant Conservation Information Center in Muara Sekalo Village, Tebo Regency, Jambi.

The elephant roaming area in Bukit Tigapuluh crosses areas with different functions and management. Therefore, protecting one area alone is not enough to ensure elephants can move between habitats.

Raja Juli said law enforcement against violations was still necessary. However, communities around the forest also need to have livelihood options that can reduce pressure on the area.

"Law enforcement is important. But at the same time, we also have to provide them with alternatives," said Raja in a press release from the Ministry of Forestry published Tuesday, September 29 2026.

Jambi Governor Al Haris expressed a similar view. According to him, elephants' needs for space and food must be considered together with the aspirations of the people around their habitat.

"How can our elephants be looked after, but the surrounding community is also cared for," said Al Haris.

Feed Enrichment in 2.8 Hectare Area

One of the steps reported by the Ministry of Forestry is to enrich elephant food in an area of around 2.8 hectares. This area is planted with sugar cane, bananas, pineapples and elephant grass to increase the availability of food in their habitat.

This landscape protection is also supported by the PROTECT30 program, a collaboration involving Proforest, the WWF-Indonesia Foundation, and KKI Warsi with the support of the APP Group. The program includes monitoring elephant habitats and movement routes, improving habitat quality, and community empowerment.

The Ministry of Forestry said that corridor protection will continue to be directed at cross-regional coordination and area management. Connected roaming paths are needed so that elephants still have space to live, while also helping to reduce the potential for detrimental encounters between elephants and residents.