Enviro News Asia, Banten — The Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkumhut), the PKH Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) Garuda, and the Banten Provincial Government jointly carried out operations to dismantle illegal activities, including unauthorized gold mining (PETI), in Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS) on 3 December 2025. The operation covered 105,072 hectares of conservation and buffer zones, including areas in Cimari, Cirotan, Sopal, and 31,976 hectares in Lebak Regency, Banten Province.
The enforcement team regained control of 55 illegal mining pits during this third-phase operation. The action followed earlier operations in Bogor Regency from 28 October–6 November 2025 and Sukabumi Regency from 18–22 November 2025. Overall, authorities handled 281 PETI pits, approximately 811 gold-processing shelters and tents, around 20,000 metal drums, 105 machines, and 44 illegal power lines.
Satgas PKH Commander Maj. Gen. Dody Triwanto expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Forestry’s continued enforcement efforts, noting that the state has recovered 3.4 million hectares of forest areas to date. He stated that the third-phase operation successfully halted illegal activities across conservation and limited production forests and dismantled structures used to support mining operations.
To strengthen enforcement, the Ministry and Satgas PKH prepared a follow-up plan targeting PETI hotspots across 11 blocks in Lebak Regency, including Panggarangan, Cisoka, Cibedug, and Gunung Bedil sectors. The task force will also address 488 illegal commercial tourism buildings in Lokapurna Block, Bogor Regency, West Java.
Director of Forestry Crime Enforcement Rudianto Saragih Napitu reported that illegal activities in TNGHS cover an estimated 493 hectares, consisting of 346 hectares of PETI operations and 147 hectares of illegal villas. He estimated state losses at approximately Rp304 billion, excluding the value of extracted minerals. Investigators are examining witnesses and crime scenes to identify financiers behind the illegal operations.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni instructed Gakkumhut to prioritize enforcement in forest areas, especially in TNGHS, which serves as the headwater region for major rivers, including the Cisadane. He warned that unaddressed illegal activities could degrade water quality and increase the risks of floods and landslides.
Authorities underscored that the operation forms part of a broader disaster-mitigation strategy. Satgas PKH and the Ministry will continue efforts to restore the conservation area and its buffer zones—totaling 105,072 hectares. If administrative and civil measures fail, the government will pursue criminal charges. Perpetrators face up to 10 years in prison and fines under Law No. 18/2013 and Law No. 32/2024.
Director General of Gakkumhut Dwi Januanto Nugroho emphasized that PETI has severely threatened the ecological integrity of TNGHS, a critical watershed area for West Java and Banten. He stated that enforcement is essential to maintain water regulation functions and prevent landslides and floods during the rainy season. He added that legal action must be strengthened to ensure deterrence and protect the national park. (*)
