Slow Handling Of The Conflict Of West Lampung Tigers Leads To TNBBS Destruction, KLHK Reminds Not Anarchic

Tiger illustration. (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The slow response to the conflict between tigers and residents in West Lampung who had claimed the death toll led to the destruction of the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS) resort. In response, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) reminded residents not to be anarchic.

"We advise and urge the entire community to remain calm and not act anarchically, that the KLHK's Joint Field Team together with the Regional Government, TNI, Police and other partners continue to work to immediately resolve this conflict problem," said the Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) KLHK Satyawan Pudyatmoko in Jakarta, Thursday, March 14, confiscated by Antara.

According to him, quick steps have been taken after the conflict between tigers and humans killed 2 residents in Suoh District, West Lampung.

He explained that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through the Directorate General of KSDAE had formed three joint teams from the TNBBS Center (BBTNBBS) and the Bengkulu-Lampung KSDA Center since the end of February 2024 consisting of a patrol team, an animal capture and evacuation team and a community security team.

He said, in principle, wild animals, in this case, Sumatran tigers that come out near the directed area or human settlement and endanger human life, must be herded or captured alive to be rescued and returned to their habitat.

If it is not possible to be released back into their habitat, these animals can be taken care of in conservation institutions, in accordance with Government Regulation No. 7 of 1999 concerning Plant and Animal Welfare.

"In handling conflicts between humans and Sumatran tigers and or other wildlife, there is a Community Security Team tasked with calming, giving appeals, and socializing to the community. Besides that, there is also a Patrol Team and Animal Arrest and Evacuation Team. UPT KLHK officers together with other stakeholders are responsive and present in the community," he said.

Previously, there was the burning of one of the resorts on TNBBS on Monday, March 11, by the furious community due to the conflict between tigers and humans in the local area which caused the death of two farmers. Another attack occurred on March 11 in the same area.