Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Asosiasi Pengusaha Hutan Indonesia urged forestry business actors to strengthen their commitment to forest conservation while reinforcing the sector’s role in supporting sustainable development. The call was delivered during a Halal Bihalal event for Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah held in Jakarta on April 7, 2026, under the theme “Self-Reflection and Unity to Protect the Earth.”
Soewarso emphasized that the values gained during Ramadan should serve as a foundation for more responsible and sustainable forest management practices. He stated that reflection must translate into concrete actions to preserve forests for future generations while balancing economic interests with environmental sustainability.
He noted that the principle of self-restraint practiced during Ramadan is relevant to forestry management, particularly in avoiding overexploitation and maintaining ecological balance. APHI and its members, he added, remain committed to expanding forest cover through planting and enrichment activities in both plantation and natural forests.
He further highlighted that optimizing forest utilization through a multi-business forestry approach remains a key direction, supported by stronger governance and enhanced social and environmental responsibility.
Soewarso also stressed the importance of strengthening unity among industry players, noting that the Eid al-Fitr momentum provides an opportunity to resolve differences, rebuild relationships, and reinforce collaboration within the sector.
Mahfudz MP underlined that Eid al-Fitr serves as a strategic moment to improve commitment to forest preservation. He stated that the government continues to enhance forestry governance through stronger coordination between central and regional authorities, including plans to develop integrated forest management systems linked to spatial planning policies.
He added that field-level supervision will be strengthened by increasing the number of forest rangers from approximately 4,800 personnel to around 21,000 in stages.
Meanwhile, Sigit Reliantoro emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in managing natural resources. He stated that humans should no longer view themselves as owners of nature but as stewards responsible for maintaining ecological balance.
He stressed that natural resource utilization must adhere to ecological limits rather than purely economic considerations, noting that current environmental crises stem from imbalanced resource management practices.
Sigit also highlighted APHI’s strategic role in driving transformation toward sustainable forest management, not only as an industry representative but also as a partner to the government.
Through this Halal Bihalal momentum, stakeholders are expected to strengthen cross-sector collaboration to address forestry challenges and improve sustainable forest governance in Indonesia. (*)
