Deforestation Emerges in South Sulawesi’s Protected Forests

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Encroachment on protected forests in East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, has allegedly caused damage to areas vital for maintaining ecosystem balance.

The Ministry of Forestry reported a gradual pattern of deforestation, including tree felling, timber extraction, and conversion of land into illegal plantations.

Head of the Sulawesi Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Center, Ali Bahri, said field findings show that encroachment is not limited to illegal logging but also includes attempts to control protected forest areas for plantation purposes.

“At the location, we didn’t just find people cutting and hauling wood. We discovered a pattern: land clearings, huts, timber being removed, areas being planted, and a party allegedly claiming a protected forest area as their own. Protected forests should not be treated like empty land that can be cleared, the timber harvested, and then turned into a plantation,” Ali said, as quoted by Antara on Monday, June 29, 2026.

The case came to light after the Rapid Response Forestry Police Unit (SPORC) received a public report of unauthorized land clearing in Wasuponda Subdistrict, East Luwu. During a sting operation on Wednesday, June 24, officers arrested two suspects, identified as S and ED.

Investigators found several land clearings, huts, oil palm plantings, and felled timber being removed from the forest. ED was caught pulling wood with an ox, while S was found processing timber with a chainsaw.

Initial investigations suggest the activity was part of a systematic forest‑clearing scheme. The two suspects were allegedly working under the direction of an individual identified as A, who claimed ownership of land within the protected forest.

In addition to logging, investigators discovered about two hectares planted with oil palm, dragon fruit, patchouli, and chili peppers. This strengthens suspicions that logging was the first step toward converting the protected forest into a plantation.

According to investigators, the pattern indicates that trees were felled, timber was removed, land was acquired, and then planted. The timber was allegedly collected at a storage point before being transported by truck to wood processing industries.

Ali stressed that the investigation will not stop at field perpetrators but will also target those suspected of organizing, financing, and profiting from the encroachment.

“The handling of this case must not stop at the person holding the chainsaw or pulling the wood in the field. Investigators are probing who organized it, who financed it, who received the timber, and who profited from the conversion of protected forest into an illegal plantation,” he said.

For their actions, the two suspects face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 2.5 billion. Both are being held at the South Sulawesi Regional Police headquarters for further investigation. ***