Task force removes illegal palm saplings from fire-hit forest in Jambi

Batanghari, Jambi (ANTARA) - The Forest Fire Task Force removed dozens of palm saplings planted illegally in the fire-affected Senami Sultan Thaha Syaifuddin Forest Park in Batanghari District, Jambi Province.

Batanghari District Environment Office Head Billy Akzaiman stated that the planted palm saplings were found by task force officers patrolling areas earlier affected by the forest fire.

"Officers promptly took action by uprooting and removing palm seeds found in the area," Billy Akzaiman stated on Monday.

He confirmed that at least 60 palm saplings illegally planted at the Forest Park were removed by officers during the inspection.

Akzaiman said the illegal planting in conservation areas was suspected to have been carried out by individuals seeking to claim land affected by forest fires for personal gain. He stressed that the authorities would take firm action against such practices.

The district official added that the incident underscored the need to strengthen cooperation with the Jambi provincial government to safeguard forest park areas, particularly by preventing forest fires and curbing attempts by individuals to exploit fire-affected land for personal gain.

Meanwhile, Jambi province's forest fire task force spokesperson Johansyah confirmed that the Senami Sultan Thaha Syaifuddin Forest Park is classified on par with national parks.

According to prevailing statutes, a Forest Park is established as a conservation area for plants and animals, as well as to support research, education, and natural tourism activities, he noted.

Johansyah also said that the provincial authority entrusted efforts to address the illegal palm sapling planting incident to the district's environment office.

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Translator: Agus Suprayitno, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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