Enviro News Asia, Riau — Indonesian forestry law enforcement authorities have taken firm action against illegal logging activities in Tesso Nilo National Park, a protected area in Riau Province that serves as a critical habitat for the endangered Sumatran elephant.
The Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for Sumatra has named a 56-year-old man, identified by the initials DM, as a suspect in an illegal logging case that occurred on 22 January 2026 within the Air Sawan Resort area of the national park, located in Lubuk Kembang Bunga village, Ukui district, Pelalawan regency.
Authorities placed the suspect in detention at the Riau Regional Police detention facility on 23 January 2026 while investigators seized evidence allegedly used in the illegal operation. Confiscated items include a white Mitsubishi Pajero Sport vehicle along with its registration documents and ignition key, a chainsaw, five fuel jerrycans, 28 pieces of sawn timber, and a red-and-black notebook.
Khairul Amri, Head of Section II of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, said the investigation followed an enforcement operation conducted jointly by the Tesso Nilo National Park authority and the Forest Area Control Task Force. Officers initially detected tire tracks from a four-wheel vehicle inside the protected area and later heard the sound of a chainsaw during patrols on 21 January.
“At around 14:00 local time, the patrol team secured one individual who admitted to processing timber using a chainsaw inside the Air Sawan Resort area,” Amri said. “The suspect and the evidence were subsequently handed over to our investigators for further legal proceedings.”
Hari Novianto, Head of the Sumatra Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, said authorities strongly suspect the individual of illegally cutting trees and transporting and possessing forest products without valid permits inside the national park.
“Tesso Nilo National Park is a natural habitat for the protected Sumatran elephant,” Hari said. “This enforcement action demonstrates the commitment of forestry law enforcement, park authorities, and the task force to safeguard the park from illegal logging and forest encroachment following the restoration of state control over the area.”
Prosecutors have charged the suspect under Indonesia’s Law No. 18 of 2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, as well as Law No. 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024. The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or fines of up to 2 billion rupiah. (*)
