Vice Resort Police South Aceh Kompol M. Basori, SIK promise to support BPKEL in law enforcement against illegal forestry activities taking place in South Aceh. This statement were made in community consultation in Tapak Tuan, 30 September 2011. The support offered by the police force receive positive respond from BPKEL, local NGO and community leaders.

Based on monitoring activities conducted by BPKEL staff, Illegal forestry activities and illegal logging in South Aceh district has substantially increased in the last few month. Taking into example illegal logging taking place in the forest area around Suaq Belimbing Research Station, which is ironic given the existence of National Park forest protection post. This forestry activities are in breach of multiple laws and it create significant ecological disturbance which will in turn affect research activities.

Having said that, Persuasive action that were taken by BPKEL staff to discourage communities living around the forest from conducting illegal forestry activities have shown some positive result. Current community action has witness decrease in illegal forestry activities and communities dismantling huts previously used to accommodate illegal loggers. Timber harvested in these illegal activities are not utilized to fulfill local demands but used to supply the markets outside the village.

Without undermining these efforts, BPKEL acknowledge that in order to maintain public support in forest conservation, there are pressing needs for continuous community empowerment through environmental education and public awareness.