Mines Found on Sumatran Elephant Route, Ministry of Forestry Reclaims 300 Hectares of Seblat Forest

BENGKULU, GARISBUMI.com – The Ministry of Forestry has regained control of around 300 hectares of the Teramang Production Forest area in Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu, which is indicated to have been encroached upon. The operation also found mines and materials suspected of containing dangerous chemicals on the Sumatran Elephant route.

Teramang Production Forest is part of the Seblat Landscape which is an important corridor for Sumatran Elephants and a number of other protected wildlife.

The joint operation, which took place from 10–16 September 2026, also destroyed 627 oil palm trunks, demolished 22 work huts, and installed 11 prohibition boards in the forest area.

Joint teams also clear mines and suspected hazardous materials to reduce risks to wildlife. These findings are still being investigated to reveal the party who installed it and the purpose of its use.

The Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, said that securing the Seblat Landscape should not stop at controlling operations.

"It is not enough to put order in the Seblat. Areas that have been re-controlled must be protected so that they are not encroached again, parties who take advantage of illegal control of the area must be traced, and damaged habitat must be restored," said Dwi in his statement in Bengkulu, Thursday, September 24 2026.

According to him, Sumatran elephants need safe roaming space, not forest areas which continue to be fragmented due to the opening of illegal plantations and various other threats.

Therefore, re-control of the area must be continued with sustainable protection and restoration of the ecosystem.

"Law enforcement must work together with ecosystem restoration so that the areas we save can truly function again as forests and living spaces for wildlife, while providing ecological benefits for the surrounding communities," he said.

Identification of Land Owners

The operation involved the Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Center, the Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Center, the Kerinci Seblat National Park Center, the Bengkulu Provincial Environment and Forestry Service, the National Police, and the TNI.

Apart from carrying out physical control, the joint team identified parties suspected of controlling or carrying out activities in the forest area.

The collection of materials and information continues to be carried out to trace land tenure patterns and determine legal follow-up based on the facts and evidence found.

Head of the Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Hari Novianto, said that regaining control of the area was not the end of the operation.

"After the area is controlled again, we have to ensure that the area is not encroached again. We are also identifying the parties who control and carry out activities in the area," said Hari.

The investigation also included the discovery of mines and potentially dangerous materials on the elephant's path.

"If elements of a criminal act are found, we will develop the handling based on facts and evidence," he stressed.

Continuation of Operation Merah Putih

Controlling the Teramang Production Forest is a continuation of the Seblat Landscape Red and White Joint Operation carried out by the Ministry of Forestry since 2025.

In last year's operation, the joint team regained control of around 8,200 hectares of encroached forest area. Officers also destroyed 24,100 oil palm trunks, tore down 186 work huts, cut seven bridges and installed 81 prohibition boards.

A number of heavy equipment and equipment used for encroachment activities were also seized.

Operations will continue in 2026 targeting areas that are still facing encroachment pressure, including the Teramang Production Forest.

The Seblat Landscape is one of the security priorities because it is an important habitat for Sumatran Elephants and Sumatran Tigers. Encroachment and illegal plantation clearing not only reduces forest cover, but also narrows and cuts off the connectivity of animal roaming spaces.

The area that has been re-controlled will be directed towards ecosystem and habitat restoration. The steps include securing the area, restoring vegetation, and strengthening habitat connectivity with technical units and related parties.

The Ministry of Forestry ensures that the Joint Red and White Operation for the Seblat Landscape continues through area security, law enforcement and integrated ecosystem restoration.