The rapid expansion of geothermal energy projects within Indonesia’s protected forest zones has ignited a fierce debate regarding the compatibility of "green" energy extraction with biodiversity conservation. Recent investigative efforts by a collaborative team have uncovered substantial industrial infrastructure development deep within the heart of the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS), a critical UNESCO World Heritage site. This development, which includes extensive road networks and massive containment ponds, raises profound questions about the integrity of national park management under the newly enacted Law No. 32 of 2024 concerning the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems.
The Anatomy of Industrial Encroachment
Field reports from early August 2026 describe a sprawling industrial road, approximately 16 meters in width, carving through the pristine landscape of the TNBBS. The route begins at the boundary of the national park in Sri Menanti Village, Sekincau District, West Lampung Regency, and penetrates roughly 10 kilometers into the protected interior. Observations made at the site revealed that the environmental impact is immediate; freshly felled trees lined the path, their foliage still green, indicating recent clearing activities.
Aerial surveillance confirms the intrusive nature of the project. The road winds through the hilly topography, functioning as a scar on the forest canopy. At the terminus of this industrial artery, investigators identified a site featuring large-scale earthworks, including two expansive containment ponds currently in a dormant state, supported by heavy machinery—specifically, blue-colored excavators—stationed on-site. According to spatial analysis conducted on the 2021 TNBBS zoning maps, this entire area falls within the park’s "rehabilitation zone," a designation meant for ecological restoration rather than heavy industrial extraction.
Legislative Shifts and the "Green" Paradox
The core of the controversy lies in the implementation of the 2024 Law on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems. Environmental analysts argue that this legislation has effectively laid out a "red carpet" for geothermal developers, creating legal loopholes that allow industrial activity in areas previously considered sacrosanct.
Suprinti Yohar, Director of the Auriga Nusantara Foundation, emphasized the gravity of these legislative maneuvers. "The government may be utilizing the law to facilitate the entry of geothermal projects into national parks," Yohar stated. "However, the fundamental issue remains the environmental impact assessment (Amdal). Does the construction of roads and industrial infrastructure, which fundamentally alters the topography and landscape, truly align with the preservation goals of a national park? We are seeing a transformation of the landscape that goes far beyond simple energy extraction."
Implications for Biodiversity and UNESCO Status
Taman Nasional Bukit Barisan Selatan is not merely a regional forest; it is a vital component of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park provides a sanctuary for some of the world’s most endangered species, including the Sumatran tiger, the Sumatran elephant, and the Sumatran rhinoceros, alongside a vast array of endemic bird and plant species.
The fragmentation of these habitats is a primary concern for conservationists. When large-scale industrial projects are introduced into these corridors, the physical barriers—such as wide roads and high-voltage power lines—disrupt natural migration patterns and breeding grounds. Irfan Tri Musri, Executive Director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) in Lampung, highlights the systemic lack of transparency regarding these projects. "There is a complete absence of accessible public data or comprehensive disaster risk assessments for this project," Musri noted. "We have repeatedly requested access to the impact studies, but they remain shielded from public scrutiny."
The Chronology of Silence
The investigative team’s attempts to secure official statements from regional authorities have been met with a pattern of avoidance and administrative obfuscation.
- Early August 2026: Attempts were made to interview the Regent of West Lampung, Parosil Mabsus, regarding the infrastructure development. The Regent was unavailable in the capital city, Liwa, at the time of the visit.
- August 6, 2026: A formal request for comment was directed to the Governor of Lampung, Rahmat Mirzani Djauzal, following his return from an official trip to China.
- August 6, 2026: The investigative team visited the headquarters of the TNBBS management in Kota Agung, Tanggamus. Despite prior attempts to coordinate with the Head of the TNBBS Center, Hifzon Zawahiri, the officials declined to meet.
- Administrative Evasion: During the visit, the team was told by staff that the leadership was in a meeting. By midday, the Secretary of the TNBBS Center claimed the leadership had been absent since the morning, contradicting reports from internal sources who confirmed that the officials were indeed present in the building at the time.
Even the Ministry of Communication and Informatics in Lampung seemed detached from the environmental implications. During a phone inquiry, the head of the department questioned the necessity of the investigation, asking, "Is it really forbidden? In your opinion, is it wrong? Is it allowed? I need to understand your perspective first." This response underscores a broader issue: a lack of clear communication between government agencies and the public regarding the prioritization of energy development over environmental preservation.
Analyzing the "Clean Energy" Narrative
The Indonesian government frequently promotes geothermal power as a cornerstone of its transition to renewable energy. However, the definition of "clean" energy is increasingly being challenged when the lifecycle of the project is considered. Critics argue that the government’s focus remains strictly on the output—the megawatts generated—while ignoring the significant environmental cost of the "upstream" processes.
The construction of access roads, the clearing of forest for wellpads, the installation of steam pipeline networks, and the creation of electricity substations constitute a permanent industrial footprint. In a tropical ecosystem as sensitive as the Bukit Barisan Selatan, these activities do not merely "extract" energy; they fragment ecosystems, increase the risk of landslides, and potentially contaminate local watersheds.
Broader Implications for National Policy
The case of the TNBBS project serves as a microcosm of a larger national struggle. As Indonesia seeks to meet its ambitious net-zero targets by 2060, the pressure to exploit geothermal resources—which are often located in volcanic, mountainous, and forested regions—will continue to mount.
If the current legal framework continues to prioritize extractive industries over ecological integrity, Indonesia risks losing the very natural capital that provides essential ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and flood mitigation. The international community, particularly UNESCO, has historically been wary of infrastructure development in the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. Continued encroachment could potentially lead to the downgrading or revocation of the park’s protected status, a move that would represent a significant setback for Indonesia’s global environmental commitments.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As of September 2026, the industrial activity within the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park continues unabated, despite the growing chorus of concern from civil society and environmental organizations. The upcoming release of a comprehensive serial report on "Geothermal in World Heritage Forests" is expected to bring further scrutiny to the project’s environmental impact assessments and the legality of its presence in the rehabilitation zone.
For the time being, the silence from government officials suggests an uncomfortable reality: the regulatory mechanisms designed to protect Indonesia’s natural heritage are increasingly being repurposed to facilitate industrial advancement. The question remains whether the preservation of the nation’s last remaining biodiversity hotspots can survive the relentless pursuit of energy development, or if the "green" label will continue to serve as a shroud for the degradation of the country’s most precious ecosystems.
