20,000 Hectares of Land Donated for Elephant Conservation in Aceh: A New Hope for the Protection of Endangered Wildlife

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has announced a significant initiative to donate 20,000 hectares of his private land to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for the purpose of establishing an elephant conservation area in Aceh Province. This decision is a welcome development in conservation efforts and provides a fresh opportunity to preserve the Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), which has long faced serious threats due to habitat destruction.

This initiative has garnered positive responses from various stakeholders, including the Center for Elephant Conservation and Forest Biodiversity Research at Syiah Kuala University (PKGB USK). According to its head, Prof. Dr. Abdullah, M.Si, the donation is a strategic step in ensuring the survival of Sumatran elephants, especially in Aceh, which hosts one of the largest elephant populations in Indonesia.

In the past two decades, the movement corridors of elephants in Aceh have been under immense pressure due to uncontrolled and massive land clearing. Deforestation for plantations, infrastructure development, and human settlements has led to the loss of natural habitats, escalating human-wildlife conflicts, and a significant decline in elephant populations. This land donation opens up possibilities for restoring the ecological function of elephant habitats while conserving biodiversity in Aceh.

However, PKGB USK emphasizes the importance of managing the area collaboratively. Prof. Abdullah highlighted that involving multiple organizations focused on elephant protection, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities, is crucial to ensure the sustainability of conservation efforts in the area. Collaborative management will ensure that every aspect of elephant protection—ranging from scientific research and community education to policy implementation—can be effectively and synergistically addressed.

"This area will not only serve as a sanctuary for elephants but also as a natural laboratory for biodiversity research and a center for community education," said Prof. Abdullah. He added that conservation success depends not just on the size of protected areas but also on sustainable management grounded in science and active community participation.

WWF, as the primary partner in managing this land, is expected to bring its global expertise in conservation area management. However, PKGB USK underlines that local institutions like theirs are indispensable for providing local insights, ensuring program sustainability, and bridging relationships with surrounding communities.

Aceh has a unique customary legal system that recognizes wildlife and the environment as part of its cultural heritage to be preserved. Therefore, PKGB USK hopes that the management of this area will also involve customary institutions such as the Majelis Adat Aceh to harmonize elephant conservation efforts with the lives of local communities.

President Prabowo's initiative is also hoped to set a precedent for wildlife conservation management across Indonesia. With strong commitments from various stakeholders—government, conservation organizations, and local communities—this effort could become a model for managing other conservation areas in the country.

The donation of 20,000 hectares of land not only reflects a strong commitment to environmental issues but also represents a long-term investment in Indonesia's biodiversity sustainability. With proper implementation, this conservation area could become a symbol of successful cross-sector collaboration in preserving nature for future generations.

In the future, this initiative's success will not only benefit elephant populations but also positively impact broader ecosystems and the well-being of surrounding communities. May this monumental step serve as the beginning of a sustained commitment to environmental preservation in Indonesia.