"One of the crucial issues in Lampung is negative interactions between wild animals such as tigers and elephants with humans. It is our responsibility to transform these negative interactions into positive ones," he said in East Lampung, Lampung, on Saturday.
He explained that under the Peusangan Elephant Conservation Initiative (PECI) program, the ministry is developing a pilot project for a Sumatran elephant corridor in Aceh, serving as a movement area for elephants.
The corridor is being managed within a 90,000-hectare industrial forest plantation where 11 villages have experienced conflicts with wildlife.
"It will be completed comprehensively and replicated in Lampung," he noted.
Antoni further explained that human-wildlife conflicts are often triggered by shrinking habitats caused by expanding settlements, along with limited food sources in elephants’ home ranges.
"Elephants also have very long memories. They remember their origins and often attempt to return to their original habitats," he added.
He said that, in addition to restoring food sources, mitigation efforts include creating and deepening embankments and installing electric fences to reduce conflicts.
"All of this will be replicated in Lampung, but what is equally important is restoring ecosystems here, including at Way Kambas National Park," the minister emphasized.
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Translator: Ruth Intan, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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