Badung Forum Puts Ecosystem Restoration at Center of Enforcement

Badung — A national environmental forum in Badung, Bali, held from Oct. 20 to 22, newly focused on making ecosystem restoration and protection of affected communities part of environmental enforcement.

The Forum Ahli Lingkungan Hidup 2026 brought together academics, practitioners, experts from different disciplines and law-enforcement officials to strengthen scientific evidence in environmental cases. Moh Jumhur Hidayat, Indonesia’s environment minister and head of the Environmental Control Agency, said enforcement should not end with sanctions but should also restore damaged ecosystems.

The forum’s discussions included scientific proof of pollution and environmental damage, valuation of environmental losses, forest and land fires, waste management and measurable restoration. Participants also examined how expert evidence could help courts understand the scale of damage and determine restoration methods.

Why ecosystem restoration matters in Badung

For foreign residents and visitors, the discussion signals that environmental cases in Indonesia may be judged not only by whether a violation occurred or a penalty was imposed. The stated goal is also to restore environmental functions and protect people whose living spaces have been affected. The forum’s focus was on enforcement policy and evidence, not on a new visitor rule or a newly announced penalty.

The Supreme Court’s civil chamber also said environmental enforcement must ensure that damaged environments can be restored. The court identified stronger scientific evidence, a clearer link between evidence and restoration, and integrity and communication between experts and judges as priorities.

The forum was organized by the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Control Agency. Reports said it was intended to strengthen the capacity and independence of experts and produce recommendations for environmental cases. No source stated a specific follow-up deadline or new enforcement measure after the forum.

Sources

• bali.tribunnews.com
• nusabali.com