# Way Kambas elephant conservation and mitigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/way-kambas-elephant-conservation-and-mitigation
> Updated: 2026-09-21T16:32:49.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3.

Authorities in Lampung continue efforts to protect the Sumatran elephant population in Way Kambas National Park through environmental safety measures and human-elephant conflict mitigation.

Initial safety protocols included using thermal drones for hotspot detection, weather modification, and joint monitoring by military and police forces to prevent forest and land fires. These efforts remain critical, as a recent two-hectare forest fire was detected via the Sipongi application at the Toto Projo Resort. Driven by strong winds and dry cogon grass, the blaze was extinguished in less than three hours by a joint team of park personnel, the TNI, Polri, BPBD East Lampung, and Satpol PP.

This incident occurred amidst a broader wave of widespread forest and land fires across Indonesia. In response to President Prabowo Subianto’s orders for strict law enforcement, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced the revocation of business licenses for five companies in Kalimantan, including PT Wana Lestari Jaya and PT Grace Putri Perdana. These companies hold concessions totaling 92,464 hectares, with a combined burned area of 1,169.13 hectares. Nationwide, authorities have reported significant fire activity, with 39 companies sealed and 112 individuals named as suspects across 10 provinces. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that while El Nino exacerbates drought, human negligence remains a primary driver.

Simultaneously, a Rp850 billion infrastructure project to mitigate human-elephant conflict has reached 82 percent completion. While intended to reduce interactions between elephants and local communities, the project faces technical and social hurdles. Residents of Sukorahayu Village have expressed concerns that new embankments could obstruct agricultural machinery. Village Head Apria Sahdi indicated that officials are discussing a “win-win solution,” which may involve installing access gates. Additionally, Brigjen Sriyanto, Chairman of the Way Kambas Elephant Interaction Mitigation Commission, noted that unstable soil conditions present ongoing technical challenges.

## Claims

- Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni announced the revocation of business licenses for five companies due to forest and land fires. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Human negligence and intentionality are the primary causes of forest and land fires in peatlands. (single source)
- Authorities have sealed 39 companies and named 112 individual suspects in 10 provinces regarding forest fires. (single source)
- A forest fire in Minahasa Utara burned 60 hectares of land due to strong winds. (single source)
- A fire burned approximately two hectares of land within the Way Kambas National Park in Lampung. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Indonesia revokes licenses of five companies over forest fires

Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry has revoked the licenses of five companies in Kalimantan following forest fires, as part of a broader crackdown involving 39 sealed companies and 112 suspects.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/way-kambas-national-park-suffers-two-hectare-forest-fire

### 2026-09-13: Way Kambas conflict mitigation project reaches 82 percent completion

The Rp850 billion human-elephant conflict mitigation project in Way Kambas National Park is 82% complete, though local farmers are seeking improved access to their fields through the new embankments.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/way-kambas-conflict-mitigation-project-reaches-82-percent-completion

### 2026-08-31: Lampung officials inspect Way Kambas to ensure elephant safety

Lampung officials inspected Way Kambas National Park to confirm Sumatran elephants are safe from forest fires, utilizing thermal drones and weather modification for mitigation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lampung-officials-inspect-way-kambas-to-ensure-elephant-safety

---
Cite as: Way Kambas elephant conservation and mitigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/way-kambas-elephant-conservation-and-mitigation