WNAM MONITORING: Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said that his ministry and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will complete the master plan for the Sumatran elephant corridor preservation area in Aceh by April 2025.
“We are targeting the completion of the master plan in April,” he remarked after reviewing the location of the planned preservation area in Bener Meriah, Aceh, on Thursday.
His visit was a follow-up on President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to donate 20,000 hectares of land he manages to WWF for elephant conservation in Aceh.
Antoni stated that the program was an effort to find real solutions to ecological threats.
This preservation area is the first initiative to protect key animals outside conservation zones.
The minister expressed hope that all policymakers, the government, the private sector, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities would collaborate in this program.
Furthermore, President Prabowo called on the Forestry Ministry to shift its perspective on the relationship between communities and forests by fostering closer relationships with local communities.
On Thursday, Antoni reviewed the preservation area and conversed with traditional leaders and local communities at the Conservation Response Unit (CRU) of DAS Peusangan.
Edhy Prabowo, President Director of PT Tusam Hutani Lestari (THL), also attended the event. His company’s pine forest concession will be part of the elephant preservation area program.
On a separate occasion, Edhy remarked that since September 2024, the president had entrusted him with managing his business, PT THL, which has a Timber Forest Product Utilization Business Permit (IUPHHK) spanning over 97,000 hectares in Aceh.
“Many people believe the president is merely building his image. However, this program demonstrates his genuine commitment, especially since he assumed office as the head of state,” he remarked.
