REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN -- A tiger trespassed into Bangkelang Village in Mandailing Natal District owing to forest encroachment in the region, according to the Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi). Executive Director of North Sumatra Walhi Dana Prima Tarigan stated here on Tuesday that forests in the area had been exploited by people for personal gains.

Tarigan noted that several forest areas in Mandailing Natal District had been transformed into palm oil plantations.

"The activity affects the life of the tiger that entered the pit of a house. The community members then killed the tiger, as they were under threat," Tarigan remarked.

Forest encroachment has also destroyed the tiger's habitat and triggered a shortage of food, such as deer and other mammals.

Walhi alleged that officers of the Batang Gadis National Park and the Natural Resources Conservation Agency of Mandailing Natal had failed to perform their duty to protect tigers and other animals.

"The governmental institution should protest and enforce the law on companies that conduct forest encroachment to transform forest areas into palm oil plantations," Tarigan emphasized.

Tarigan urged the government to restrict the issuance of licenses for land clearing for opening palm oil plantations.

The government should protect the life of endangered animals, including the tiger, from illegal hunting and killing activities, Tarigan pointed out.

"Members of the community that killed the tiger cannot be blamed, as they were concerned about the safety of their lives," Tarigan stated.

Earlier, on Sunday (Mar 4), the Batang Natal Police killed a tiger that had strayed into the Bangkelang Village in Mandailing Natal District.

Sofii, a local, had contacted the village head and police after he saw a tiger under his house.

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