Riau Police Chief to take strong measure on forest encroachment

Pekanbaru, InfoPublik – Riau Police chief Inspector General Zulkarnain said that he would take stong measure toward the forest encroachers.

Currently, he is collecting data on persons and companies involved in the encroachment activities in Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) and other protected forest areas.

"We are still collecting evidences on anyone who encroach the forest whether the locals, cukongs [illegal broker], or companies. We will take stern measure," he said on Tuesday (2/7).

He promised that he will send notice letters to the persons and companies involved in the encroachment activities after receiving comprehensive data. It is a standard procedure prior implementing strong measure—if it is ignored.

"At this moment, I am waiting the list of those companies and will send them the notice letters. We will take both sensible but strict measures so they will understand that they have violated the Law on Forestry and Plantation," he said.

In addition, the police chief will investigate the money used for illegal logging in national and protected forests by the cukongs. He said land in TNTN areas had already been planted with oil palms.

It was done by the cukongs who ordered the locals to cut or even burn down the trees to clear the land. The activities had caused forest wildfire. (MC Riau/mtr/Kus)