Illegal Deforestation of Elephant Habitat by PT. ABN Uncovered within the Leuser Ecosystem

GPS: 4°34’0.60″N, 97°41’7.20″E

A Rainforest Action Network (RAN) field investigation has found evidence of active, illegal clearance of critically endangered Sumatran elephant habitat within the rainforests of the Leuser Ecosystem. The culprit is a rogue palm oil producer known as PT. Agra Bumi Niaga (PT. ABN) who supplies a nearby crude palm oil processing mill operated by PT. Koperasi Prima Jasa (KPJ)—a known supplier to Wilmar International. Wilmar ships this Conflict Palm Oil around the world where it is may be used by consumer brands, including PepsiCo.

This investigation uncovered evidence showing how PT. ABN has accelerated the clearance of hundreds of hectares of forest over a six-month period. The activity documented is in clear violation of the moratorium announced by the President of Indonesia in April 2016 as well as instructions from the Governor of Aceh made on June 17th, 2016 ordering the same company to cease all forest clearance activities, including areas with existing permits.

Full documentation of this destruction can be found here.

Analysis of satellite imagery shows that PT. ABN continued to clear land for palm oil in January 2017:

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