Govt Establishes Sumatran and Bornean Elephant Conservation Strategy 2026–2036

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The government has established the Sumatran Elephant and Bornean Elephant Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (SRAK) for the 2026–2036 period as a guideline for saving the populations and habitats of both species over the next 10 years.

Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, said that the SRAK must be implemented in a real and consistent manner, not just as a policy document. According to him, the consistency in implementing the strategy is expected to increase the elephant population in the next 10 years.

"So I think this is an important document. Let's work together to ensure that this SRAK not only has a theoretical function but also a practical one. If we are consistent, the population graph can be improved well within 10 years," Raja Juli said during the inauguration of SRAK in Jakarta, Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

He emphasized that elephant conservation efforts require cross-sector collaboration because they cannot be carried out by the Ministry of Forestry alone. Cooperation is needed with ministries and agencies, local governments, the business world, academics, community organizations, and communities around elephant habitats.

SRAK includes a number of strategic steps, ranging from habitat protection and restoration, population security and strengthening, maintenance of corridors and habitat connectivity, to prevention and management of human-elephant conflicts.

The Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE), Satyawan Pudyatmoko, stated that the SRAK was prepared collaboratively with the involvement of various parties. The drafting process has been ongoing since March 2026 thru a series of discussions and refinements with stakeholders.

The SRAK serves as a guideline in implementing Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 8 of 2026 on the Rescue of Sumatran and Bornean Elephant Populations and Habitats, issued on June 15, 2026. The Inpres emphasizes the importance of synergy across ministries and agencies, sectors, and levels of government in the effort to save elephants.

Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki, inaugurated the Sumatran Elephant and Bornean Elephant SRAK 2026–2036 coinciding with the commemoration of World Elephant Day. Thru the consistent and collaborative implementation of strategies, the government aims to maintain the elephant population, protect their habitats and roaming areas, and continue to reduce human-elephant conflicts.