Indonesia Arrests Two for Illegal Road Construction in National Park

Indonesian authorities have arrested two suspects for illegally building a road within the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in West Lampung Regency. The suspects, identified as S (64) and TN (26), are accused of using heavy equipment to construct the road in the protected conservation area.

Dwi Januanto Nugroho, Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, stated that illegal road construction in national parks is a serious threat to conservation efforts and can facilitate various forestry crimes. "Roads opened illegally in conservation areas not only alter the natural landscape but also potentially serve as entry points for encroachment, illegal logging, wildlife poaching, and other forestry crimes," Nugroho explained.

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Roads opened illegally in conservation areas not only alter the natural landscape but also potentially serve as entry points for encroachment, illegal logging, wildlife poaching, and other forestry crimes.

He further emphasized that law enforcement is crucial for maintaining the integrity of conservation areas and improving forestry management. Protecting national parks is vital not only for preserving trees and wildlife but also for sustaining the ecological functions that support present and future generations. The arrests are part of the Ministry's broader strategy to bolster the protection of conservation areas through rigorous legal action against forest encroachment.

The case began when park rangers discovered the road construction using a hydraulic excavator within the national park. Officials stopped the activity and detained the owner and operator of the heavy machinery. Hari Novianto, Head of the Sumatra Regional Law Enforcement Center, stressed that using heavy equipment in national parks is a serious violation. Investigators are actively seeking to identify other parties involved, including those who ordered, funded, or benefited from the illegal road construction. Both suspects face potential prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines of up to $130,000 USD, according to Indonesian forestry law.

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We do not stop at securing the perpetrators and evidence. The investigation is directed to uncover the purpose of the road construction, the parties who ordered it, the parties who financed it, as well as all parties who benefited from the activity. Everyone involved will be held legally accountable based on the evidence.