The Police Detain Wildlife Poachers, Alleged Forest Fire Perpetrators in Arjuno-Welirang Mount
Wildlife poachers who were suspected as the forest and land fire perpetrators in the Arjuno-Welirang area were finally arrested by the police, as published by FactualNwes.co on October 23, 2019. The full article is below:
A series of investigations held by the Pasuruan District Police regarding Forest and Land Fire (locally abbreviated as, Karhutla) on the slopes of Mount Arjuno-Welirang, finally paid off. Two illegal poachers in the R Soerjo Forest Park (locally abbreviated as,Tahura) area, Prigen Sub-district, Pasuruan Regency were suspected as the culprits. Both of them were arrested in Pasuruan District police station.
The two detained perpetrators were detained Budi Santoso (41), a resident of the Genengsari Neighborhood, Pecalukan Village, Prigen Sub-District; and Eko Dwi Kristianto (55), a resident of Lumbangrejo Village, Prigen Sub-District, Pasuruan Regency. Both were caught red handed by the Prigen Police Criminal Unit on Sunday, October 14, 2019 in the Forest Park area
The police unit continued to explore the correlation of the perpetrators with the forest fires in the Arjuno-Welirang area. Based on the investigation, the pattern showed that the forest fire happened every weekend. "These culprits should be suspected of illegal hunting because they brought a 5.5 mm caliber of air rifle, which is sold under restriction," said Rofiq, the officer.
He emphasized that there are special rules that must be followed by anyone who wants to enter the state forest. For their actions, the two perpetrators were punished under the Article 12 Letter: F Article 84 (1) RI Law Number 18 of 2013 concerning Prevention and eradication of forest destruction with a sentence of 5 years in prison
The police chief explained that those who deliberately bring the tools to cut, chop, split the logs of the trees in the forest areas without any permission, obviously it is a violation of the law. "I suggest to anyone, let's protect our environment, protect our forests for the survival of our children and grandchildren later, "said the Police Chief.
PROFAUNA Indonesia's Response
The cause of forest and land fires in the R Soerjo Forest Park Area which were allegedly caused by the wildlife poachers, has long been revealed by PROFAUNA Indonesia in various cases. The hunters deliberately set fire to the land or forest to force the wild animals to come out and then they shoot the animals.
The wildlife being hunted include primates, rusa, Muntjak deer, wild boars and other species encountered during the hunting.
"The cause of land and forest fires in the Arjuna and the surrounding areas is caused by several things, including the activity of wildlife poachers and farmers who clear their land by burning," said Rosek Nursahid, PROFAUNA Indonesia activist.
PROFAUNA Indonesia appreciates Pasuruan District Police who succeeded in arresting the alleged perpetrators of the land and forest fires. Perpetrators must be prosecuted because their actions cause damage to the natural resources which not only threatens the wildlife conservation, but also harms the community.