Indonesia Reinforces Tesso Nilo National Park Patrols After Attacks Amid Illegal Palm Oil Crackdown & Sumatran Elephant Threat

Indonesia Bolsters Tesso Nilo National Park Security Following Attacks

Indonesia has dispatched significant reinforcements to Tesso Nilo National Park on Sumatra island after a forestry task force command post was destroyed. This deployment comes in the wake of aggressive government actions to seize illegal oil palm plantations within the protected area, critical habitat for the critically endangered Sumatran elephant.

Task Force Under Attack Amid Crackdown

On November 25, 2025, the Forestry Ministry confirmed the destruction of a tactical command post, prompting the immediate deployment of an additional 30 soldiers and 20 forestry police personnel. Their mission is to re-secure the damaged post, prevent further destruction, and ensure the ongoing operation to restore ecological order proceeds without disruption.

The incident is directly linked to President Prabowo Subianto's forestry task force, which comprises military personnel and state prosecutors. Launched in 2025, this task force has been rigorously cracking down on what they deem illegal oil palm plantations operating within state forest areas. This extensive operation, however, has drawn criticism from the palm oil industry, which warns of potential disruptions to global supplies.

Protecting a Vital Ecosystem and Endangered Species

Tesso Nilo National Park, spanning 83,000 hectares in Riau province, is a crucial sanctuary for the Sumatran elephant. The park has endured years of persistent encroachment, posing a grave threat to its biodiversity. The task force's efforts have already led to the seizure of 4,700 hectares of illegal palm oil plantations within the park, alongside the dismantling of access routes and demolition of related structures.

Senior Forestry Ministry official Dwi Januarto Nugroho clarified the enforcement strategy: "Our enforcement operations in Tesso Nilo are designed to break the chain of business that is destroying the area, not to sacrifice the people. Our focus is on landowners, financiers, and heavy equipment operators who trade in state forest areas."

Local Protests and National Implications

Despite the government's stance, the crackdown has ignited protests among thousands of residents in Riau's oil palm belt. Last week, these communities demonstrated against the government's takeover of their plantations, particularly in an 8,000-hectare area designated for ecosystem restoration within the park.

The Tesso Nilo situation is part of a larger national effort. Across the Indonesian archipelago, approximately 3.7 million hectares of plantations have been seized. Nearly half of this land has been transferred to Agrinas Palma Nusantara, a nascent state-run firm, positioning it to become the world's largest oil palm company by land size. This widespread action underscores Indonesia's commitment to reclaiming forest land, even as it navigates complex social and economic challenges.