The Last Warrior of Tesso Nilo National Park

Every time Hamencol, 54, talks about the encroachment on Tesso Nilo National Park, the tone of his voice rises.

KOMPAS/SYAHNAN RANGKUTI

Hamencol

Every time Hamencol, 54, talks about the encroachment on Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN), the tone of his voice rises. The traditional leader of Lubuk Kembang Bunga village in Ukui subdistrict, Pelalawan regency, Riau, acknowledged he is very angry at the tremendous destruction of the village forest in his homeland.

He said the destruction of the area that serves as a sanctuary for the Sumatran elephant could be prevented if the government had not allowed the encroachment on the forest.