Raising Legal Awareness, Outreach in Nagan Raya Highlights the Prohibition on Air Rifle Misuse and the Protection of the Tripa Peat Swamp
NAGAN RAYA, January 2026 — The Aceh Forest, Nature, and Environment Foundation (HAkA) and the Nagan Raya Police Department held a public awareness campaign to prohibit the misuse of air rifles and protect the Tripa Peat Swamp as a wildlife habitat in Nagan Raya Regency. Seventy-eight participants, including village officials, security personnel, and community representatives from areas directly adjacent to forest and peat swamp areas, attended the event.
The Tripa Peat Swamp is a vital part of the Leuser Ecosystem (LEE), which serves a strategic ecological function as a wildlife habitat, carbon sink, flood control, and community livelihood support. This area also holds national and international significance for its role in maintaining biodiversity and climate stability. Habitat degradation and ongoing poaching activities pose serious threats to the sustainability of this ecosystem.
Nagan Raya Police Chief, AKBP Dr. Benny Bathara, S.I.K., M.I.K., in his remarks emphasized that misuse of air rifles not only violates the law but also has the potential to cause loss of life and exacerbate threats to wildlife, including protected species. He reminded that air rifles are often considered harmless weapons, yet in several cases in Indonesia, they have caused deaths due to irresponsible use.
He further emphasized that environmental issues do not stand alone but are closely intertwined with aspects of safety, law, and shared responsibility. International pressure on Indonesia to protect the environment continues to increase, while destructive and exploitative practices continue to occur in various regions, including peat swamp areas.
HAkA Foundation representative, Jehalim Bangun, S.H., M.H., stated that humans and wildlife essentially coexist in a single ecosystem. Therefore, controlling the use of air rifles is a crucial part of efforts to protect wildlife and their habitat, particularly in the Tripa Peat Swamp. Through this activity, the parties hope to raise public legal awareness, encourage reporting of air rifle ownership, and strengthen their shared commitment to preserving the Tripa Peat Swamp as a wildlife habitat and life support system in Aceh.
