Indonesia Launches Sumatran Elephant Conservation Plan, Urges Field Action

Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry has officially launched a Sumatran elephant conservation strategy and action plan, emphasizing practical implementation over passive policy. Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni stressed the document's role as a concrete operational guide, urging stakeholders to ensure consistent application at the ground level.

The initiative comes as Indonesia faces escalating conservation challenges, with active elephant populations dwindling from 42 to just 21. This decline necessitates urgent action and a shared responsibility among government agencies, local communities, businesses, and NGOs.

“

We must oversee this together so it doesn't just become a theoretical document, but an operational document that can be consistently implemented at the ground level.

The action plan is part of a broader conservation framework under President Prabowo Subianto's administration, supported by legal instruments like Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2026. Local programs, such as the Peusangan Elephant Conservation Initiative in Aceh, are also integrated.

To mitigate ongoing human-wildlife conflicts, the government is promoting human-elephant coexistence strategies in key areas like Way Kambas National Park. A significant measure includes constructing over 100 kilometers of barriers to reduce territorial disputes and protect agricultural lands. The Minister underscored that effective conservation requires not only rational strategy but also genuine care for living creatures, calling for long-term commitment to preserving Indonesia's native elephant population.

“

We must oversee this together so it doesn't just become a theoretical document, but an operational document that can be consistently implemented at the ground level.