Aceh — The Tripa Peatland ecosystem in Aceh Province is once again in a state of forest and land fire emergency. Based on the latest monitoring data, illegal land clearing and structured exploitation have triggered a drastic surge in hotspots, with Nagan Raya Regency recording a 43-fold increase compared to the previous year.
From January through May 2026, the environmental monitoring organization “Pantau Gambut” detected a total of 2,715 hotspots across the entire province of Aceh. This figure aligns with the high national accumulation of hotspots on peatlands, which has reached tens of thousands.
South Aceh Regency had the highest number with 918 hotspots, followed by West Aceh Regency with 740, and Nagan Raya Regency with 528. The number of hotspots in Nagan Raya Regency increased 43-fold compared to the same period the previous year, which had 12 hotspots.
South Aceh Regency had the highest number with 918 hotspots, followed by West Aceh Regency with 740, and Nagan Raya Regency with 528. The number of hotspots in Nagan Raya Regency increased 43-fold compared to the same period the previous year, which had 12 hotspots.
This surge in hotspot numbers is closely linked to large-scale forest encroachment. This indication is reinforced by the seizure of two excavators in the Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL) of Rawa Tripa by the Nagan Raya Police in March 2026.
The presence of this heavy machinery proves that ecosystem destruction is not solely carried out by local farmers for subsistence needs, but is orchestrated by actors with substantial financial backing. In fact, Rawa Tripa has been designated as a protected area under Qanun No. 19 of 2013 due to its peat depth exceeding three meters.
Muhammad Fahmi, Legal and Advocacy Manager at HAkA, assesses that this chronic forest fire situation is evidence of systemic government failure.
“Tripa Peatland is paying the price for years of failed prevention efforts. If this cycle is allowed to continue, the damage will no longer be merely the loss of land, but the loss of the ecosystem’s vital role in sustaining the lives of Aceh’s communities,” Fahmi emphasized.
Roni Saputra, Director of Law Enforcement at Auriga Nusantara, also highlighted the weakness of legal sanctions against environmental destroyers. In his view, the government must dare to target the intellectual actors (beneficial owners) rather than merely focusing on firefighting efforts on the ground.
“As long as the government is only busy putting out fires without daring to bring the intellectual actors who are reaping the profits to justice, the Rawa Tripa fires will remain an annual cycle,” said Roni.