Jerhemy Owen and Locals Restore Protected Forest; 10 Hectares of Illegal Oil Palm Plantations Cut Down

Aceh Tamiang – Environmental content creator Jerhemy Owen has once again drawn public attention after directly participating in forest restoration activities in the Tenggulun area of ​​Aceh Tamiang Regency. Working alongside local communities, the Region 7 Forest Management Unit (KPH), and the Leuser Conservation Forum, he helped fell approximately 1,300 oil palm trees that had been illegally planted within the protected forest area.

Restoring 10 Hectares of Protected Forest

The restoration work took place on a tract of land covering approximately 10 hectares that had previously been converted into an illegal oil palm plantation. Once all the oil palm trees are cleared, the area will be restored to its natural state through the replanting of various native forest tree species and local fruit-bearing plants.

Protecting the Leuser Ecosystem Area

Tenggulun is situated in a region linked to the Leuser Ecosystem landscape, one of Indonesia's most vital conservation areas. The presence of illegal oil palm plantations within the protected forest not only reduces forest cover but also fragments wildlife habitats and increases the risk of human-wildlife conflict. The forests in this area serve as a habitat for various endangered species, including the Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran elephant, and Sumatran rhinoceros.

Community Collaboration is Key

In his statement, Jerhemy Owen emphasized that successful restoration would be impossible without the support of the surrounding community. This program is the result of a collaboration between local residents, the Region 7 Forest Management Unit (KPH), and the Leuser Conservation Forum, all sharing a common goal: to restore the forest's ecological functions.

The forest restoration in Aceh Tamiang serves as a reminder that preserving nature requires cooperation among various stakeholders. By transforming degraded land back into forest, it is hoped that the ecological benefits will be enjoyed by both current and future generations.