The ministry’s unit for watershed rescue conducted the joint operation with stakeholders such as the National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Bogor Public Works and Public Housing Office on Wednesday.
The ministry’s director general for law enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, said in Bogor, West Java, the same day that any unlawful use of forests will be met with strict penalties.
“The initiative shows the Forestry Ministry’s commitment to taking strict measures to save Indonesia’s environment and forests,” he added.
The operation revealed that the area was likely being used for illegal karst mining. Some items were confiscated during the operation, including nine excavators and three dump trucks. Nine workers were detained on-site, he informed.
Meanwhile, director for forestry crime law enforcement at the ministry, Rudianto Saragih Napitu, said that the operation was a form of prompt response against forest misuse to prevent disastrous impacts, such as the floods seen in the Greater Jakarta area at the beginning of 2025.
According to Napitu, there are four illegal mining sites on the Bekasi headstream, which have caused damaged to around 50 hectares of land and flattened the contours of the terrain due to mining activities being carried out at depths of nearly 10–20 meters.
The ministry will conduct further investigations and impose legal sanctions against those found involved in illegal mining.
“The penalty for the offense is a maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp7.5 billion (US$462.5 thousand),” he informed.
He said that his administration will consistently pursue efforts to save the forests and protect the nation’s biodiversity for the greater good of the people.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
