Jakarta, ThedailyID — Police have found newly planted palm oil seedlings on land affected by forest and land fires in Timpeh District, Dharmasraya, West Sumatra. The fire reportedly occurred on August 15, 2026.
On Friday evening, October 16, police and local government officials installed warning signs at the site. The signs prohibit farming and plantation activities on the burned land. Officials also placed police lines around the area.
Dharmasraya Regent Annisa Suci Ramadhani shared footage of the discovery on social media. In the video, she questioned why someone had planted palm oil seedlings just weeks after the fire.
Annisa ordered officials to remove the seedlings and replace them with forest vegetation. She stressed that the land forms part of a forest area. She also said authorities must investigate the suspected violations.
Officials have requested witness statements and the identities of those suspected of planting the seedlings. Dharmasraya Police will investigate the case further.
Police Chief AKBP Kartyana Widyarso Wardoyo Putro confirmed the discovery during a joint patrol with regional officials. He said the findings suggested deliberate planting on the burned land.
Forestry officials identified the site as a limited production forest. This designation restricts how people can use the land. Kartyana said police would investigate potential violations and take legal action where warranted.
Authorities have also strengthened efforts to prevent further fires. On September 9, 2026, the Dharmasraya administration held a coordination meeting and established village-level task forces. These teams patrol local areas and educate residents about the ban on clearing land through burning.
Kartyana said Dharmasraya recorded no new hotspots after September 23, according to the Sipongi monitoring application. Officials now plan to restore the affected forest by planting suitable forest vegetation.
The discovery of palm oil seedlings has added another concern to the recovery effort. Authorities are investigating who planted them and whether the activity violated forestry and environmental regulations.
