InfoSAWIT, PELALAWAN – Indonesia’s central government, together with the Riau Provincial Government, has taken concrete steps to restore the ecosystem of Tesso Nilo National Park (TNNP) while ensuring the welfare of local communities. The initiative was marked by the clearing of oil palm trees and reforestation activities in Bagan Limau Village, Ukui Sub-district, Pelalawan Regency, on Saturday.

The event was attended by Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Ossy Dermawan, and Acting Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto, alongside regional officials.

Minister Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that the government’s presence in Tesso Nilo is not intended to marginalize local residents, but rather to adopt a persuasive and dialog-based approach in relocating communities who have cultivated land within the national park.

“This is a historic moment. The state is present in Tesso Nilo not to oppose communities, but to persuade and relocate those who have farms inside the park,” he said, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from the Riau Media Center, Monday (22/12/2025).

Relocation, he explained, will take place outside the national park to ensure conservation objectives are upheld and ecosystem restoration can proceed gradually and sustainably.

“Forests must once again become safe and comfortable habitats for elephants, tapirs, deer, and other wildlife,” he added.

The government has prepared various schemes for affected communities, including social forestry permits and the Agrarian Reform Land Object (TORA) mechanism. Approximately 600 hectares involving 228 households have been handed over, with the hope that Bagan Limau Village will serve as a model for others.

Acting Governor SF Hariyanto reaffirmed Riau’s commitment to ensuring the relocation process is completed thoroughly, providing legal certainty for communities while restoring the Tesso Nilo ecosystem sustainably. (T2)