The death of a resident in Musi Rawas in 2024 following an encounter with a wild elephant serves as a stark reminder that the boundary between human settlements and wildlife habitat in South Sumatra is becoming increasingly fragile. The tragic incident involving Karsini (34), a resident of Tri Anggun Jaya Village, not only left a community in mourning but also underscored the growing reality that human–wildlife conflict has become a serious and tangible threat.

South Sumatra has long been recognized as an important refuge for protected wildlife species, including the Sumatran Elephant, Sumatran Tiger, and Sun Bear. Yet the pressure on these ecosystems continues to intensify. Deforestation, land-use conversion, forest fires, settlement expansion, and the impacts of climate change have progressively reduced the space available for wildlife. As habitat quality declines, animals—particularly elephants—are increasingly forced to move beyond their traditional ranges in search of food and shelter.

One of the province’s most significant elephant habitats is the Benakat–Semangus landscape, which spans several regencies, including Musi Banyuasin, Musi Rawas, Lahat, Muara Enim, and Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI). This landscape functions as a critical movement corridor for Sumatran elephants while simultaneously becoming more vulnerable to human–elephant interactions.

The degradation of habitat quality has directly altered elephant movement patterns. As food resources within forest ecosystems become increasingly scarce, agricultural fields and community plantations often become alternative feeding grounds. Consequently, encounters that were once occasional have evolved into recurring conflicts. Beyond the tragic loss of human life, these incidents also result in significant economic losses for local communities through damage to crops and farmland.

This situation has prompted a wide range of stakeholders—including local governments, land managers, private-sector actors, local communities, and conservation organizations—to move beyond fragmented efforts. Collaboration is now recognized as essential for developing solutions that are not only responsive but also sustainable over the long term.

One concrete step has been learning from successful experiences in Rantau Jaya Udik II Village, Sukadana District, East Lampung Regency, which borders the Way Kambas National Park. This area has long faced the challenges of human–elephant interactions. Through a study visit conducted in February 2026, stakeholders from South Sumatra were able to observe firsthand how communities around the park have developed mitigation strategies, ranging from elephant deterrence measures to community-based early warning systems.

The initiative formed part of a broader multi-stakeholder collaboration led by the South Sumatra Provincial Forestry Service, with financial support from Relung Indonesia Foundation through the RBP REDD+ for Results Period 2014–2016 GCF Output 2 Project under Utilization Category II. The effort was further strengthened by the involvement of development partners and private-sector concession holders, including PT Musi Hutan Persada, PT Medco E&P Indonesia, PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan Regional Sumatera Zona 4, and PT Bara Sumatera Energy. Their participation highlights the fact that addressing human–wildlife conflict requires collective action across sectors and institutions.

The active involvement of village communities has been equally important, as they are both the most directly affected stakeholders and the first responders to conflict incidents on the ground. Several key lessons emerged from the learning process: fostering awareness that elephants require adequate habitat, strengthening early warning systems to help communities anticipate elephant movements, and mapping elephant corridors as a foundation for more effective mitigation planning. Above all, participants recognized that sustained collaboration among stakeholders remains the determining factor for success.

These efforts have not ended with the study visit. As a follow-up measure, the South Sumatra Provincial Forestry Service, supported through provincial funding, has begun facilitating the establishment of Independent Conflict-Resilient Village Communities (Masyarakat Desa Mandiri Konflik) in Bumi Makmur Village and Tri Anggun Jaya Village. The initiative aims to ensure that the knowledge and experience gained through the program are translated into practical actions at the local level.

Ultimately, maintaining harmony between people and wildlife is far from straightforward. It is a long-term endeavor that requires commitment, mutual understanding, and sustained cooperation among diverse stakeholders. Without sufficient habitat for wildlife, conflicts are likely to persist. However, through strong partnerships and coordinated action, the prospect of peaceful coexistence remains both possible and achievable.

Contributor

Ahmad Rifa’i