Minister of Forestry boosts Sumatran elephant conservation in Jambi

Indonesian Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni is strengthening conservation efforts for Sumatran elephants in the Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape, Jambi. To better monitor animal movement patterns, the government is utilizing GPS collar technology, which has already been applied to nearly all monitored elephants in the area, with plans to add four more units.

A key component of the strategy involves community participation to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Through the Elephant Conservation Information Center (PIKG) in Tebo Regency, a 2.8-hectare community-based restoration program has been established. Local residents manage food enrichment areas planted with sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, and elephant grass.

Minister Antoni emphasized that conservation must coexist with human interests, suggesting the use of Social Forestry schemes to provide legal certainty for local communities while maintaining productive and sustainable habitat management. The current elephant population in the landscape is estimated at approximately 130 individuals.