A joint team consisting of various security and forestry elements cleared 117 hectares of illegal encroachment in the Mount Papandayan conservation area, Garut Regency. This firm action was taken to prevent the threat of landslides and preserve the ecosystem in the protected area.

The large-scale operation, which took place on Wednesday (15/7/2026), was initiated by the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA). The enforcement action was also reinforced by personnel from the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkum Kehutanan), the Brimob Corps, the Military Police (POM TNI), and the Forest Police Partner Community (MMP) in the Mount Papandayan Nature Reserve and Nature Tourism Park (CA/TWA) area.

The 6,807-hectare conservation area plays a crucial role as a water catchment area and life support system for local residents. According to BBKSDA data, illegal encroachment was identified in several critical locations, including the Desa Cihawuk Block (90 hectares), Waternimen Block (14 hectares), Balenyengked Pasir Bui Block (8 hectares), and the Darajat Complex Block (5 hectares).

The Head of the Technical Division of West Java BBKSDA, Andri Hansen Siregar, emphasized that this enforcement action was a follow-up to official instructions from the Director General of KSDAE as of June 2026. He mentioned that persuasive efforts had been made since 2022, including sending warning letters three times to the encroachers, but these warnings were repeatedly ignored.

In addition to securing the area by installing PPNS (Civil Servant Investigators) lines, officers confiscated various pieces of evidence, such as illegal huts, agricultural tools, and illegally cultivated crops. Several individuals strongly suspected of involvement in unauthorized land occupation are currently undergoing intensive investigation by PPNS officers from the Gakkum Office to determine their legal status.

The perpetrators face prosecution under forestry and natural resources conservation laws, carrying a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 5 billion. Alongside law enforcement, relevant authorities continue to urge the public to work together to preserve Mount Papandayan for the future of the environment in Garut.