Enviro News Asia, Riau — The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, expressed profound condolences on Saturday (29 November 2025) for the floods that struck North Aceh Regency, Langkat Regency, Central Tapanuli Regency, Sibolga City, and South Tapanuli Regency. He delivered the statement during a visit to Sebanga, Riau.
The minister instructed senior officials at the Ministry of Forestry to use the disaster as a decisive moment to reassess forest-management policies. He emphasized that the current balance between economic development and ecological protection has tilted too far toward economic interests, prompting the need for recalibration.
Raja Juli Antoni stated that his visit to Riau formed part of a broader effort to address long-standing forestry issues. One of the key initiatives involved the issuance of customary forest decrees, which provide Indigenous communities with legal certainty to manage their ancestral forest areas. He explained that the ministry recently granted legal rights for local communities in Jake to manage 405 hectares of customary forest, recognizing their historical role in protecting forest ecosystems.
During his inspections in Tesso Nilo and the PLG Sebanga area, the minister acknowledged historical evidence of illegal deforestation and land conversion. He stressed that these findings should serve as momentum for environmental restoration and improved governance.
He added that the Ministry’s PKH task force has begun operations to restore forest areas without the use of force. In Tesso Nilo National Park, 394 households have agreed to relocate by mid-December, enabling the government to initiate the restoration of approximately 31,000 hectares of degraded habitat.
Raja Juli Antoni said strong public support will be crucial for resolving environmental issues across Sumatra. He noted that his visit to Riau reflects a broader pattern of ongoing evaluations in West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh in response to recent environmental crises. (*)
