Indonesia Launches 10-Year Elephant Conservation Plan on World Elephant Day

Indonesia's Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, officially launched the Sumatra and Borneo Elephant Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (SRAK) for 2026–2036 on World Elephant Day, August 12, 2026. This document serves as a joint guideline for saving elephant populations and their habitats in Sumatra and Borneo over the next decade. The launch ceremony included the handover of the SRAK document by the Director General of Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems (KSDAE), Satyawan Pudyatmoko, and the Chairman of the Indonesian Elephant Conservation Forum (FKGI), Donny Gunaryadi, to Minister Antoni. Antoni emphasized that the SRAK must be more than just a planning document; it needs to be a practical work guideline implemented by all stakeholders. "So, I think this is an important document. Let's guard it together so that the SRAK not only has theoretical functions but also practical ones. If we are consistent, the (population) graph can be improved well in 10 years," Antoni stated. He stressed that elephant conservation cannot be solely undertaken by the Ministry of Forestry. Protecting habitats, strengthening populations, maintaining roaming spaces, and preventing human-elephant conflict necessitate collaboration between central and regional governments, businesses, academics, community organizations, and residents living near elephant habitats. Director General Satyawan Pudyatmoko explained that the SRAK was developed collaboratively with various stakeholders. The Ministry of Forestry established a drafting team through a decree in 2026, and the drafting process involved discussions and refinements with multiple parties since March 2026. The SRAK aligns with Presidential Instruction Number 8 of 2026, issued on June 15, 2026, which mandates the rescue of Sumatran and Bornean elephant populations and habitats as a priority requiring cross-ministerial and inter-agency synergy. The strategy encompasses habitat protection and restoration, population security and strengthening, corridor maintenance, human-elephant conflict prevention and management, law enforcement, community empowerment, research and monitoring, and conservation financing. The Ministry of Forestry aims for consistent and collaborative SRAK implementation to safeguard Sumatran and Bornean elephants, ensuring their habitats and roaming spaces remain intact while also reducing human-elephant conflicts.

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So, I think this is an important document. Let's guard it together so that the SRAK not only has theoretical functions but also practical ones. If we are consistent, the (population) graph can be improved well in 10 years.