BBS News (BANDAR LAMPUNG) - Together with authorities at the district and provincial levels as well as government institutions, law enforcement, and other related NGOs, WWF Indonesia agreed to establish a Law Enforcement Communication Forum in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS) in the provinces of Lampung and Bengkulu.

The agreement on the formation and declaration of the forum was the result of the Forest Security Coordination Meeting and Public Consultation on the Development of Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) of TNBBS which took place at Horison Hotel Bandar Lampung on June 16, 2015. The parties agreed to support efforts to protect and conserve TNBBS and be able to utilize environmental services in a sustainable manner.

TNBBS is a world heritage that has been designated by UNESCO as the Tropical Rain Forest Heritage of Sumatra in 2004, because it has incomparable biodiversity and natural panoramic beauty, and is an asset of the Indonesian nation which is the last bastion of tropical rain forests in the world.

The parties consider it necessary to establish a Law Enforcement Communication Forum as a space for coordination and communication in developing policy and technical aspects of protecting and securing the TNBBS area and its surroundings.

""Why is there forest encroachment so far, who is doing it for what reason? That must be sought, even if the economic factor is the reason for the community to do it, a solution can be found by opening up land for them so that their needs are met, that is one of the goals of this forum,"" explained Timbul Batubara, Head of the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park Center.

The parties will follow up on the declaration of this forum, by following up with the technical team and the ranks below to increase efforts to handle the law, protection, and preservation and sustainable use of TNBBS so that forest damage does not increase.

Anwar Purwoto, Director of Sumatra Kalimantan WWF Indonesia, who also attended the event expressed his hope that with this, all parties including the community, NGOs, government, and security can be involved.

Furthermore, a forum secretariat institution will be established to coordinate regular meetings and implementation of joint activity agendas, identify and analyze forest area destruction activities and develop information flow and reporting systems.