20 Hectares of Batam Protected Forest Destroyed

11 hours ago 4

January 14, 2026 | 10:28 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The destruction of the Tanjung Kasam protected forest in Batam, Riau Islands, is significantly more extensive than previously estimated, with 20 hectares of land cover now reported as altered. The latest breach was brought to light by residents of Kavling Bestari, Kabil, who alerted the environmental organization Akar Bhumi Indonesia (ABI) on Monday, January 5, 2026.

This new site of destruction is located just two kilometers from a previously reported area that recently went viral on social media. Upon receiving the report, ABI conducted field verification and confirmed the systematic cutting of hillsides and the clearing of protected forest, affecting an additional eight hectares. "This finding is only two kilometers from the previous destruction site," said ABI Chairperson Soni Riyanto on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Soni noted that while the first site, estimated at 12 hectares, has been sealed by the Ministry of Forestry's Law Enforcement team, active destruction continues at the new site. During the verification, ABI found an excavator and eight trucks transporting soil. "This indicates that within the Tanjung Kasam protected forest, there are two distinct activities simultaneously damaging the protected forest," he observed.

The total damage across both sites currently stands at 20 hectares. According to Soni, the modus operandi is consistent: perpetrators level the hills and use the soil as material for coastal reclamation projects in Batam. The stripped land is then typically repurposed for illegal agricultural plots or residential developments. "The pattern we observe is that once the hills are cut and the land is leveled, the area gradually fills with buildings, a practice that has become common in Batam," Soni explained.

He added that the destruction was carried out incrementally over a long period to avoid public scrutiny until the forest became barren. "At the latest verification site, the state of the forest is very concerning. Almost the entire area has been stripped, leaving behind only a very small amount of tree vegetation," Soni said.

Field observations also revealed that residential areas are already creeping toward the clearing sites, raising fears that heavy rains could trigger landslides and flooding for the nearby inhabitants.

The activities are a direct violation of several national laws, including the Forestry Law and the Law on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction. These statutes carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a Rp5 billion fine for illegal land clearing.

However, if the destruction is found to be organized and linked to commercial interests like reclamation or industrial housing, the threat increases to 15 years in prison and a Rp15 billion fine. Soni emphasized that these sanctions extend to the financiers and corporate entities that profit from such environmental crimes.

Pressure on Law Enforcement and BP Batam

ABI has called on law enforcement agencies to strictly implement these legal instruments to halt widespread environmental degradation in Batam. The organization's data suggests that nearly 80% of Batam’s land-based protected forests have already been damaged. "If left unchecked, this destruction will continue to spread, not only to other land forests but also threatening coastal ecosystems," Soni warned.

Furthermore, ABI urged the Barelang City Police to crack down on the soil-carrying trucks, which are suspected of being frequently overloaded. Beyond the environmental damage, these trucks accelerate road wear, create dust pollution, and pose a significant risk to traffic safety. Soni argued that these vehicles are a critical link in the chain of forest destruction and should be seized as proceeds of crime. "Enforcement cannot stop at the clearing site; it must target the logistics and transportation tools that make this illegal trade possible."

Previously, Lagat Sianturi, Head of the Riau Islands Ombudsman, also demanded action, suggesting that continued destruction implies potential negligence by law enforcement. He urged BP Batam, as the region’s administrative authority, to reconsider its development priorities.

Lagat warned that if investment is prioritized over environmental sustainability, Batam could face a major disaster within the next 30 years. "Investment is meant for the welfare of the community; we must avoid a catastrophe that will cost far more than the investment itself," Lagat concluded.

Read: 12 Companies Under Scrutiny for Sumatra Floods Over Forest Conversion

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