National park meant to save Sumatran tigers is running out of forest – Earth.com

Report on Forest Loss in Tesso Nilo National Park, Sumatra: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Over the past twenty years, Tesso Nilo National Park in Sumatra has experienced a loss of more than half of its forest cover. This report examines the drivers behind this deforestation, with a focus on the encroachment of oil palm plantations, and highlights the critical connections to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to life on land, climate action, and sustainable communities.

Sumatran Forest Destruction and Its Monitoring

1. Extent of Loss: Satellite imagery and field research led by Denni Susanto of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have documented progressive forest clearing from the park’s edges inward over two decades.
2. Research Methodology: Utilizing Landsat satellite data since 1972, remote sensing techniques classified land into forest, agricultural, or bare ground categories. Ground verification was conducted to ensure accuracy.
3. Impact on Biodiversity: The park’s lowland rainforest, home to endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), is critically threatened by habitat fragmentation.

Forest Fragmentation and Its Consequences

• Fragmentation increases forest edges, reducing core habitat areas essential for wildlife that avoid human disturbance.
• Smaller and isolated patches lead to increased human-wildlife conflict and poaching risks.

Role of Oil Palm Plantations in Forest Loss

1. Expansion Pattern: Oil palm plantations have expanded quietly from the park’s boundaries, involving clearing mixed forest and draining wetlands, which exacerbates soil drying and ecosystem degradation.
2. Long-Term Impact: Mature plantations represent long-term land use, making forest restoration increasingly difficult.
3. Policy and Enforcement Challenges: Despite Indonesia’s presidential instruction to halt new permits for primary forests and peatlands and the implementation of the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification, enforcement remains weak, especially among smallholders, leading to illegal planting.

Human Influence and Land Use Change

• Road development and transportation facilitate access, enabling settlers to introduce agriculture deep within the park.
• The human footprint within the park has reached 99.39% modified land, severely threatening key species’ habitats.
• Rangers face continuous pressure to protect remaining forest fragments, which are increasingly difficult to defend.

Strategies for Restoration and Sustainable Management

1. Protection of Core Forest Blocks: Prioritize safeguarding the largest remaining forest patches that serve as wildlife habitats and seed sources.
2. Establishment of Connectivity Corridors: Replanting trees along rivers and ridges to link fragmented habitats and support biodiversity.
3. Enhanced Monitoring and Enforcement: Utilize satellite monitoring to detect new clearing promptly and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to respond effectively.
4. Livelihood Transitions: Support sustainable livelihood programs in buffer zones to reduce dependence on illegal clearing and promote community engagement.

Integration with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 15 – Life on Land: Protecting and restoring forest ecosystems to conserve biodiversity and prevent habitat loss.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action: Maintaining forest cover to enhance carbon sequestration and mitigate climate change.
• SDG 1 – No Poverty and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promoting sustainable livelihoods in communities surrounding the park to reduce illegal activities and improve economic resilience.
• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Strengthening governance and enforcement to uphold environmental laws and protect natural resources.

Conclusion

The case of Tesso Nilo National Park illustrates that protected area boundaries alone are insufficient to prevent deforestation without integrated landscape management, effective enforcement, and community involvement. Long-term satellite monitoring combined with sustainable livelihood initiatives offers the most viable path to restoring forest connectivity and safeguarding biodiversity. Achieving these goals aligns directly with multiple SDGs, emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts to balance environmental conservation with human development.

References

• Susanto, D. et al. (2025). Environmental Management. Environmental Management
• Indonesia Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Tesso Nilo National Park Profile. ksdae.kehutanan.go.id
• Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) Certification. ISPO Policy Document

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article discusses forest loss, fragmentation, and habitat destruction in Sumatra’s national park, directly relating to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
   • Protection of endangered species like Sumatran tigers and elephants is highlighted.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The expansion of oil palm plantations and the role of certification programs (ISPO) relate to sustainable agricultural practices and production.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Forest loss affects carbon storage and local climate regulation, implying relevance to climate mitigation efforts.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article mentions livelihood transitions and sustainable income sources for local communities, linking to poverty reduction.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Issues of enforcement, illegal planting, and land claims highlight governance and institutional challenges.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity.
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle (e.g., ISPO certification).
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning (e.g., forest conservation to maintain carbon sinks).
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions (linked to livelihood transitions and sustainable income from oil palm).
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (improving enforcement and monitoring).
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all (addressing illegal planting and land claims).

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Forest Cover and Loss
   • Satellite imagery and remote sensing data (e.g., Landsat) measuring forest area, fragmentation, and core forest patches.
   • Indicators such as the rate of forest loss over time and the number and size of forest fragments.
2. Human Footprint
   • Percentage of land modified by human activities within the park (e.g., 99.39% modified land).
3. Species Habitat and Population Status
   • Presence and habitat connectivity for key species like Sumatran tigers and elephants.
4. Certification and Compliance
   • Implementation and enforcement of ISPO certification among palm oil producers.
5. Law Enforcement and Illegal Activities
   • Monitoring of illegal clearing and permit compliance through satellite alerts and ground verification.
6. Livelihood and Socioeconomic Indicators
   • Measures of community income sources and transitions away from destructive practices.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: earth.com