Enviro News Asia, Aceh — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry and the Aceh Police have taken action against illegal mining activities in the Jantho Nature Reserve and Jantho Nature Tourism Park in Aceh Besar Regency, securing 14 people and three excavators during a joint operation.
The operation was conducted on September 28–29, 2026, involving the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for Sumatra, Aceh Police and Aceh Besar Police.
The 14 people consisted of 11 workers and three heavy-equipment operators. The three excavators were allegedly used to support illegal mining activities in the conservation area.
The individuals remain under examination by the Aceh Police, while law enforcement authorities are continuing to investigate the case and identify other parties who may have been involved based on evidence collected at the site.
Of the three excavators, one has been evacuated and transported to the Aceh Police headquarters. The other two remain subject to a gradual security and evacuation process after sustaining damage while being removed from the site.
The enforcement action followed a joint declaration issued by Aceh’s Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) on July 23, 2026, in response to widespread illegal mining activities in several parts of Aceh.
The declaration set August 17 as the deadline for mining operators to stop activities and remove mining equipment. Following the deadline, law enforcement action was directed at parties that continued to participate in illegal mining, including those who financed, controlled or benefited from the activities.
Under Indonesian law, those involved in illegal mining activities within the Jantho conservation area may face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum category VI fine under provisions of Law No. 18/2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction and Law No. 32/2024 amending Law No. 5/1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.
Protecting Sumatran Orangutan Habitat
The Jantho ecosystem landscape plays an important role in the conservation of the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii). The area is one of the sites used to reintroduce rescued and rehabilitated orangutans into the wild.
The reintroduction program has resulted in rehabilitated orangutans surviving in their natural habitat and producing new generations, making the protection of their habitat essential to long-term conservation efforts.
Satyawan Pudyatmoko, Director General of Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems, said protecting conservation areas requires sustained efforts over many years.
“The Jantho ecosystem landscape plays an important role in the conservation, rescue and rehabilitation of orangutans. Many orangutans that were rescued and rehabilitated have returned to the forest, survived and even produced new generations in the wild. All of this requires years of effort,” Satyawan said.
He added that any disturbance to the habitat could affect the living space of wildlife undergoing conservation and recovery programs. The ministry will strengthen routine patrols to prevent illegal activities from recurring.
The Jantho landscape is also strategically important as part of the upper watershed of the Krueng Aceh River. The watershed has an important ecological role in the region’s hydrological system and serves as a source of raw water for communities in Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh.
The local water supply system serves approximately 218,000 people.
Forestry Law Enforcement Director General Dwi Januanto Nugroho said the government would investigate the broader network behind the illegal mining activities, including those financing the operations, controlling equipment and directing mining activities.
He also warned of the potential environmental and public health risks associated with illegal mining, particularly if hazardous substances such as mercury or cyanide are used in mineral processing.
“Water that flows beyond the boundaries of a conservation area becomes part of the lives of communities and wildlife. Therefore, the law enforcement measures we are taking represent the state’s commitment to protecting the environment and public safety,” Dwi said.
The Ministry of Forestry, local governments, police and other stakeholders will continue strengthening protection of the Jantho conservation landscape through patrols, monitoring, law enforcement and rehabilitation of affected areas.
The efforts are aimed at preventing the return of illegal activities, protecting recovering wildlife habitats and maintaining the ecological functions of the landscape for surrounding communities. (*)
