Indonesia targets illegal plantations and conducts coastal conservation

Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry conducted an operation from September 10-16, 2026, to dismantle 300 hectares of illegal oil palm plantations in the Teramang production forest of Bengkulu. The area is part of the Seblat natural landscape, a critical corridor for Sumatran elephants. During the operation, authorities uprooted 627 oil palm trees, demolished 22 huts, and confiscated landmines and poison intended for elephants.

Law enforcement officials stated they are currently gathering evidence to identify the masterminds behind the encroachment. This follows a significant crackdown in 2025 where 8,200 hectares of forest were reclaimed and over 24,000 oil palm trees were eradicated.

In a separate environmental effort, Mangrove Jakarta Impact and Digital Edge Indonesia held a conservation event on Pulau Tidung. The initiative included planting 5,000 mangrove seedlings, restoring 500 coral reefs, releasing fish, and conducting a beach cleanup that collected approximately 300 kilograms of waste.