Conservation Director: Why Focus Solely on Karen Brooks?
Monday, February 23, 2026
An explanation from Ahmad Munawir, Director for Species and Genetic Conservation, regarding Karen Brooks’ business in Way Kambas National Park.
arsip tempo : 177656501250.
APPROACHED three times by Tempo, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni declined to answer questions about his alleged involvement in altering the core zone of Way Kambas National Park. The change was suspected of accommodating the interests of former White House policy adviser Karen Brooks, who was planning to pursue ecotourism and carbon-trading ventures there.
Ahmad Munawir, Director of Species and Genetic Conservation at the Forestry Ministry, denied that zoning changes at Way Kambas were tied to Brooks. “At the national level, zoning can be revised or adjusted for specific management needs,” he told Tempo after the National Foresters Gathering at IPB University in Bogor, West Java, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Munawir elaborated on the changes to the park’s core zone and on Brooks’ tourism plans in Way Kambas. Excerpts from the interview follow.
We received information that the planned zoning changes in Way Kambas National Park (TNWK) were intended to accommodate Karen Brooks’ tourism and carbon businesses. Is that true?
It would be naïve to think zoning changes were made for that reason. We revise zoning at any time, and it can be done by the national park authority.
How often can zoning in a national park be changed?
At least once every five years. That means it can be revised two or three times, depending on management needs. Zoning is an instrument to strengthen conservation. It is not static, but dynamic.
Can you give an example?
Suppose a tiger nest is discovered in a particular zone. We can adjust the zoning because of new information or emerging needs. If it turns out the nest is not in a core zone, that means the area should not be disturbed. It can then be redesignated as a core zone to strengthen protection.
Why was the core zone in Way Kambas changed into a utilization zone rather than a rehabilitation zone?
Law No. 32/2024 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems includes a provision stating that carbon utilization may take place in utilization zones or blocks. In our carbon framework, there are two schemes within conservation areas. They are what is known as protection carbon and afforestation, reforestation, and revegetation.
But hasn’t the area always been protected?
Yes, but the state did not gain anything from it. We only protected it and spent money. In fact, there’s potential.
Isn’t there a state-owned enterprise to manage it?
If a state-owned enterprise is interested, that is fine. We have 27 million hectares of conservation areas. This is intended as a pilot project. We want to test this law. If it fails or proves flawed, we hope the same mistake will not happen elsewhere.
Has the carbon potential been calculated?
It is currently being processed and calculated, how much carbon is stored there so it does not escape. If the forest burns, it is released. If it is logged or converted into plantations, it is released. That is what we are trying to protect.
Could Karen Brooks also conduct carbon business there?
That will depend on the process. Whether she submits an application or not, we do not know. Way Kambas is simply the first trial. Whether Ms. Brooks or anyone else becomes involved, we will see. To my knowledge, as of today, no application has been submitted.
In addition to carbon trading, Karen Brooks plans to open an exclusive tourism venture in Way Kambas National Park.
It is indeed allowed inside a national park.
Has the site design for the zoning change been prepared?
Not yet. The zoning itself is still under discussion. After the public consultation, it will be reviewed in Jakarta for finalization. Only then will it proceed to site design.
Why did Karen Brooks choose Way Kambas National Park?
In fact, aside from Ms. Brooks, there are many projects there. There is the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Indonesian Rhino Foundation, and the Auriga Nusantara Foundation. Private actors are assisting us. All of them share a common goal to resolve Way Kambas’ recurring fires and human-elephant conflicts. Why focus solely on Ms. Brooks? If she has resources, why not?
