RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Vice Minister of Forestry, Rohmat Marzuki, affirmed the importance of strengthening forest area governance as well as supervision and law enforcement at the ground level as strategic steps to maintain the sustainability of Indonesia's forests. He conveyed this in his speech at the Webinar "Addressing Forest Area Governance", in Jakarta, 24 February 2026.

In his presentation, he emphasized that the forestry sector is a pillar of sustainable development and the green economy, playing a vital role in maintaining ecological balance while also supporting community welfare.

"Indonesian forestry will always be a driving force, from providing environmental goods and services, hydrological guardians, life sustainers, food and energy providers, labor absorbers, to various other ecological, social, and economic benefits," Rohmat stated.

He also reminded that the hydrometeorological disasters occurring in various regions are a strong signal of weaknesses in forest management at the site level. "The floods and landslides that occurred in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and other areas serve as a 'strong alarm' that there are weaknesses in forest management, forest protection, and law enforcement at the site level," he said.

To address these challenges, the Ministry of Forestry encourages the integration of ecosystem-based landscape forest management, the strengthening of the One Map policy, and the establishment of Forest Ecosystem Management Centers at the provincial level to enhance coordination between the central and regional governments.

In addition, strengthening forest law enforcement has become a major concern given the limitations of field personnel. Currently, around 4,800 forest police have to secure more than 125 million hectares of forest and conservation areas.

The Ministry of Forestry will strengthen the institutional framework for forestry law enforcement at the field level by proposing the establishment of Law Enforcement and Forest Fire Control Centers in 24 regions and increasing the number of forest police personnel by 21,000 with a security ratio of 1:5000 hectares, as well as enhancing support for information technology and drones for detecting deforestation openings to improve the state's presence in responding to forestry cases at the field level and controlling forest fires.

Rohmat also emphasized the strategic role of the Forest Management Unit (KPH) as the frontline in forest management, as well as in strengthening community empowerment and protecting forest areas. "KPH is the frontline in preserving Indonesia's forests," Rohmat conveyed.