RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has established a National Park Financing and Management Innovation Task Force to develop new approaches to funding and managing conservation areas. The initiative aims to strengthen national park management and create opportunities for sustainable ecotourism development.

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the task force was formed by presidential decree and will seek innovative, sustainable funding schemes to support national park management.

He emphasized that commercial activities in conservation areas are permitted but must remain limited to avoid mass tourism, which could harm the environment. “Commercialization certainly exists, but it should not become massive tourism. The main goal remains to protect the environment and forests,” he said in Jakarta on Friday, March 13, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The task force is chaired by Hashim Djojohadikusumo, with Raja Juli Antoni and Mari Elka Pangestu serving as vice-chairs. Through this team, the government will explore new funding sources, including private-sector involvement, to ensure optimal and sustainable management of national parks. “We will seek innovative and sustainable funding, including private-sector involvement, so that our national parks can once again become world-class,” Minister Raja Juli said.

Indonesia currently has 57 national parks that play a vital role in preserving biodiversity. The government views these areas as centers for conservation with the potential to support ecotourism based on conservation principles. As an initial step, several pilot projects will be developed, including one in Way Kambas National Park.

Programs in Way Kambas will focus on reducing frequent human-elephant conflicts around the park. Measures include constructing fences and boundary canals, as well as implementing community empowerment initiatives.

“Through this policy, the government hopes to strengthen wildlife conservation and national park management in Indonesia while providing economic benefits to surrounding communities through a sustainable conservation area management approach,” Minister Raja Juli said. ***