Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – Massive deforestation occurring in the natural landscape of Seblat, Bengkulu, Indonesia, has raised serious concerns among conservation experts, including Burhanuddin Masyud, regarding the sustainability of the Sumatran elephants. The ecological and wildlife management expert from IPB University stated that the current situation is not just a reduction in forest cover.
"This is a systemic threat eroding the foundation of the Sumatran elephant population's sustainability," he said in a written statement on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
The latest data shows that at least 1,585 hectares of Sumatran elephant habitat have disappeared from January 2024 to October 2025. This figure does not include the alleged illegal encroachment of 4,000 hectares, strongly suspected to have been converted into palm oil plantations.
"What is happening in Bengkulu is not just the loss of forests, but a direct assault on the ecology, reproduction, and the balance of elephant interactions with the environment. The impact will be layered and long-term," he added.
Burhanuddin explained that the lost area is part of the seasonal migration corridor in the Limited Production Forest (HPT) of Lebong Kandis. This corridor functions as a migration route, a food source, and a space that facilitates natural reproductive processes.
"If the seasonal corridor is lost, the synchronization of physiological behavior for mating can be disrupted. When reproduction is disturbed, a decline in the population becomes inevitable," he said.
He added that the accelerated conversion of forests into plantations, cultivation areas, and settlements increases the potential for human-elephant conflicts. Similar phenomena have occurred in Aceh and Riau, which recorded high elephant mortality due to hunting, poisoning, and collisions with human activities.
According to Burhanuddin, the root of the problem lies in the dominance of economic orientation in land use policies. "Many conversions occur illegally. The ecological corridors are hardly taken into account in policies. The dominant concern is short-term financial value," he said.
At the community level, the perception that elephants are pests also exacerbates the situation. "Without education and intervention, this perception can encourage dangerous actions, such as poisoning or killing elephants," he said.
As a strategic step, Burhanuddin emphasized the importance of cross-institutional coordination to remap elephant foraging areas, especially those connected to the Kerinci Seblat National Park.
He also highlighted the importance of implementing Law Number 32/2024 concerning Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems, especially regarding the designation of preservation areas, such as ecological corridors and highly valuable conservation areas.
In addition, he considered the development of elephant conservation areas using a flying squad approach as a realistic solution that has proven effective in the Tesso Nilo National Park, Riau. He stated that this program not only reduces conflicts but also opens up educational tourism opportunities for the community.
"Community involvement is key. Without them, conservation will only be a policy document without implementation," Burhanuddin said.