The ministry's Director General of Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, on Friday, noted that such an encroachment action was considered detrimental since the mangrove forest ecosystem in Aceh Tamiang is a natural resource that serves important ecological and socio-economic functions.
"From a socio-economic perspective, mangrove forests can provide a source of livelihoods for the community, a tourist destination, and a source of raw materials for various products. This natural resource wealth must be maintained according to its intended function," Nugroho emphasized.
The Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency revealed the case after receiving public reports of widespread encroachment and destruction of the mangrove ecosystem in Kuala Genting Village.
The head of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Hari Novianto, conveyed that his team installed signs indicating supervision and investigation within the area. The sign installation was assisted by personnel from the Aceh Region III Forest Management Unit (KPH) and the Seruway Navy Post.
Field inspections by the team found that the land clearing for new oil palm plantations was carried out from June to August 2025.
Based on witness interviews and forest cover analysis, this encroachment activity for oil palm plantations occurred on approximately 500 hectares of land from 2020 to 2025.
Nugroho said this action involved the use of Cooperatives and a Statement of Physical Control of Land Areas (SPPFBT).
"We have identified several suspected perpetrators and instructed investigators to question witnesses, the perpetrators, and the actors involved in the encroachment," he remarked.
Furthermore, his party had coordinated with the East Aceh Forest Management Unit III (KPH III), the Aceh Tamiang Regional Government, and local law enforcement officials to jointly halt the encroachment on the mangrove forest.
Related news: Bengkulu increases patrol to prevent forest encroachment
Related news: Ministry encourages regions to lead mangrove ecosystem protection
Translator: Prisca Triferna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
