Enviro News Asia, Magelang — The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) and the Directorate of Certain Crimes (Dittipidter) of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri) have taken firm action against illegal sand mining activities operating across 36 sites within Mount Merapi National Park (TNGM). The move underscores the government’s strong commitment to law enforcement and forest protection in conservation areas.
The joint operation, conducted on Monday (November 3), involved Bareskrim Polri, the Mount Merapi National Park Authority, the Central Java Provincial Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, Magelang Police, as well as active support from local authorities and communities. This enforcement followed reports from residents and field monitoring that revealed ongoing unauthorized sand mining activities within the protected zone.
Head of the Mount Merapi National Park Authority, Muhammad Wahyudi, confirmed that no mining permits have ever been issued within the conservation area.
“This area serves as a critical habitat for protected wildlife and a vital water source for the people of Central Java and Yogyakarta. We will begin ecosystem restoration immediately, starting with reforestation efforts in the Sentong Block, Dukun District, Magelang Regency,” Wahyudi stated.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of illegal activity that damage forest areas.
“There is absolutely no room for anyone to break the law in our forests. Every illegal operation will be dealt with firmly,” the Minister emphasized.
He further commended the cross-sector collaboration demonstrated in this enforcement action, stressing that forest protection is a shared responsibility vital to ensuring environmental sustainability and community safety.
This decisive operation highlights Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental law enforcement and safeguard the ecological integrity of Mount Merapi — a crucial ecosystem that supports biodiversity and provides essential environmental services for the surrounding regions. (*)
