Indonesia Launches New Elephant Conservation Era with Presidential Instruction

Indonesia is entering a new era of elephant conservation with the issuance of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 8 of 2026, focusing on the rescue of Sumatran and Kalimantan elephant populations and their habitats. This marks the first time elephant conservation is designated as a cross-ministerial and inter-agency responsibility, signaling a significant shift in national strategy.

Donny Gunaryadi, Chairman of the Forum Konservasi Gajah Indonesia (FKGI), stated that Inpres 8/2026 should serve as the foundation for various national strategic agendas that have previously operated in silos. "Elephant conservation is about how Indonesia manages its landscapes wisely, justly, and sustainably. Inpres 8/2026 provides a clear direction towards that paradigm," he told Tempo.

However, Gunaryadi stressed that the success of conservation efforts cannot be measured solely by the issuance of regulations. It hinges on how the mandate is translated into sectoral policies, development plans, spatial planning, budgeting, on-the-ground implementation, and structured monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The Inpres details responsibilities for numerous entities, including the Ministers of Forestry, Agriculture, Home Affairs, Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, Energy and Mineral Resources, Public Works, Environment, Finance, Investment, and the National Police Chief, along with governors and regents/mayors in Sumatra and North Kalimantan.

FKGI urges the establishment of clear performance indicators, measurable timeframes, distinct divisions of responsibility among ministries and stakeholders, and transparent periodic reporting mechanisms. Gunaryadi noted that the Inpres complements existing regulations and requires a comprehensive Strategy and Action Plan (SRAK) for Sumatran and Kalimantan elephants. While the SRAK is still being drafted, FKGI insists it must be an operational document, not just a planning one. Furthermore, periodic evaluations involving government, academics, civil society, businesses, conservation institutions, and local communities are essential. FKGI believes the Inpres is vital for land-use planning, resolving land-use conflicts, restoring ecological functions, and strengthening landscape connectivity, noting that elephant habitats, as carbon sinks, can be integrated into various financing schemes, including carbon financing and other nature-based funding models.