Combing Rat Tracks and the Threat of Leptospirosis in Indonesia

When flooding began in Demak Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia in early February 2024, the reach of its human and material toll could hardly be anticipated. River waters overran their embankments, submerging 1,350 homes, displacing 20,000 people, affecting close to 85,000, and killing three people—two children and an elderly woman. 

Then came diseases in the aftermath of the floods, mainly leptospirosis.

Based on data from Central Java in 2024, according to reports from Districts/Cities until the end of March, there were 124 cases of leptospirosis with 23 deaths. Compared to 2023, leptospirosis cases were at 2.37 per 1,000 population. This means there were 884 cases in one year with 139 deaths, from January 1 to March 31, 2024. While most people recover from the illness, the risk of death increases with age. 

A neglected disease that is linked to environmental factors such as flooding, leptospirosis is the world’s most widespread zoonosis—meaning a disease that can pass from animals to humans. Leptospirosis affects an estimated 1.03 million people globally each year, killing about 58,900. This disease is prevalent across rural and urban areas in Indonesia. 

A bacterium known as Leptospira which lives in the kidneys of mainly rats, is the cause of the disease. The bacteria are excreted in rat urine and contaminate flood waters. Black rats, namely Rattus rattus are found in abundance near human habitations.

Rat traces and the threat of leptospirosis

The room in Ahmad Aris’s (29) house is quite simple. Its dimensions are approximately 4 meters by 5 meters with wooden walls and floors. It is in this room that Aris, his wife, and their two children fall asleep every night. However, Aris worries every night because for the past two months, his children have been bitten by rats three times. These rats can enter their room through gaps in the water storage holes on the floor of the room. He fears that his children might suffer the same fate as him, contracting leptospirosis.

Aris suffered from leptospirosis in March 2024. About four months ago, he experienced symptoms such as unbearable bone pain, chills, and fever. Initially, he did not expect to have leptospirosis. Aris only learned about this disease when he was hospitalized for 13 days in the Demak District. It was the first time in his life that Aris had heard of leptospirosis.

“I thought it was dengue fever (DBD). At that time, the initial symptoms started when I came back from fishing, feeling extremely tired. Suddenly, my whole body ached, my bones hurt, I had a high fever, and couldn’t move my body,” said Aris to Prohealth.id on June 21, 2024.

He went to a doctor near his village to get checked, but was only given medication and didn’t improve. Eventually, he went to a community health center (puskesmas) before being referred to a hospital.

This former fisherman was shocked to hear the doctor’s diagnosis. He tested positive for leptospirosis, even though Aris had never felt bitten by rats. However, he admitted that there were many rats in his house.

“The doctor told me it’s rat urine disease. My family was surprised to hear about this disease but they accepted it because there are many rats at home.”

The number of rats roaming around Aris’s house is indeed enormous. He claims there are hundreds of them. These rats, according to Aris, roam around every night, causing a lot of noise in every corner of his house.

Leptospirosis has symptoms such as acute fever experienced by humans and animals due to infection. Leptospira bacteria enter the human body through injured skin, abrasions, or mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth, nasopharynx, or food pipe (esophagus) from water contaminated by the urine of sick animals or carriers.

These symptoms can range from a seemingly simple fever which goes away, to those with potentially deadly consequences such as Weil’s Disease, characterized by jaundice, kidney failure and bleeding from the lungs.

Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, M.Epid, head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau Ministry of Health, also confirmed that leptospirosis cases can indeed lead to death. One such case was a leptospirosis patient in Solo, Central Java in March 2024.

“So if symptoms are just emerging, it’s called probable leptospirosis because it hasn’t been tested in the laboratory (and confirmed),” said Dr. Siti to Prohealth.id on March 28, 2024. According to Dr. Siti, leptospirosis is a type of disease that can be prevented before death occurs by intensifying early detection and surveillance.

Urbanization and socioeconomic factors

Aris’s house is located in RT 3/RW 1, Babalan Village, Wedung District, which is on the easternmost side of the northern part of Demak Regency, directly bordering Jepara Regency. The majority of its residents work as fishermen and farmers. This village is approximately 25 kilometers away from the Demak Regency Government Office.

Babalan Village has a total of nine inhabitants divided into two households (KK). Among these nine individuals, four are children, comprising two toddlers and two older children. The house is not far from the Babalan River, which flows north of the residence, with only a 20-meter distance between the house and the river.

“I see rats stepping on plates used for eating, and rice ladles being gnawed on. These rats enter the house through various holes. There are around 20 holes scattered throughout all the rooms in the house,” said Aris, who holds only an elementary school diploma.

Aris hasn’t been idle as the wooden walls of his in-laws’ house are chewed by rats. He has tried to cover them with boards or plug them with plastic, but the rats keep making new holes. Aris intends to eradicate the rats, either with poison or traps. However, his in-laws oppose this out of pity. Additionally, when poisoning rats, he worries about them dying and their carcasses getting stuck in the gaps of the wooden walls. As a result, removing the rat carcasses becomes difficult and could cause unpleasant odors.

“This house is an ancient wooden structure. So when a rat dies between the walls, it’s hard for us to find it. Even if we do find it, we’d have to break open the wooden walls,” Aris explained.

This house harbors a large rat population due to its wooden construction. Meanwhile, neighboring houses on both sides have permanent brick and concrete structures. Consequently, the rats switch to his house because it is easier to penetrate.

The houses in Babalan Village are densely packed along the banks of the Babalan River, especially those in RW 1. Apart from the close proximity of residential houses, the waste management system for residents is also poorly organized. Consequently, along the Babalan River, there are many stagnant garbage piles.

Rat populations increase when garbage piles up uncollected on city streets, or around farmlands, during heavy rainfall or flooding.

In this fishing village, floods frequently inundate the area, especially during the west monsoon season. The most recent flooding in Babalan village occurred in the second week of June 2024.

Given these conditions, the rat population is naturally quite high. However, for the residents, seeing dozens of rats scurrying along the roadside is a common occurrence. They view the presence of numerous rats as something normal.

Together with his wife, Aris can only strive to live on. He diligently tries to wash eating utensils and has developed habits of washing hands and feet before meals and before sleeping. These lifestyle changes are lessons learned after experiencing leptospirosis. Every corner of their home, typically filled with old household items, has also begun to be tidied up.

“We cleaned up all the junk. The condition now is better and cleaner because we’re afraid of getting infected with leptospirosis again,” he stated.

Drawing from this unpleasant experience, he hopes that the Demak Regency government will take steps to eradicate and control the rat population in their environment. This way, no one else will contract leptospirosis again. “We also want health center personnel to conduct regular health checks on the community,” said the man who has now switched to salt farming.

Another former leptospirosis patient, Nuri (56), vividly remembers contracting the disease at the end of March 2022. Nuri was infected during daily floods that submerged his house. It turns out, Nuri’s house is located right at the mouth of the Babalan River, just a stone’s throw from the coastline. Only a 3-meter-wide village road separates Nuri’s house from the Babalan River.

He saw many rats entering his house as a result of being swept in by floodwaters. At that time, he did not think much about the fact that these rats would eventually become carriers of the critical disease he would later experience. Nuri contracted leptospirosis and was hospitalized for a week.

“I even ended up in the ICU. I couldn’t walk, couldn’t do anything because of the fever, bones were hurting badly, the cause being rat urine disease (leptospirosis),” Nuri explained when visited at his home on Friday, June 21, 2024.

The father of six believes that the floodwaters were the root cause that brought rats into his house and transmitted leptospirosis. Nuri is certain he has never been bitten by a rat. He also does not doubt the cleanliness of his house, as it is made of walls that should reduce the chances of rats getting in. “They might come through the roof but not all the way down,” he said.

In addition to frequent floods that submerge his house, Nuri admitted that he rarely washes his hands with soap after activities. “I just wash my hands with plain water before eating,” said the resident of RT 1 RW 1 Babalan, Wedung, Demak Regency.

This fisherman never expected to contract leptospirosis. Now, he admits to being more cautious in maintaining his lifestyle because he has experienced the pain of leptospirosis.

“Now I’m more cautious, washing my hands and feet with soap when I come home from work at sea,” he added.

Khomsiah, a health worker from Puskesmas Wedung 2, Demak Regency, mentioned that almost every year cases of leptospirosis are found in the Babalan Village area of Wedung District. Cases were absent in 2023 but reemerged in 2024.

“Alhamdulillah, every case found is well managed with early screening of symptoms reported by patients. When it points to leptospirosis, we prioritize diagnosis of the disease so that patients can be promptly referred to hospitals for proper treatment,” she explained.

According to Khomsiah, Babalan Village is consistently a hotspot for leptospirosis cases due to its coastal location. Additionally, the population density is very high, and waste management is poorly handled. “The rat population is very abundant, especially the wirok rats,” she said.

Towns and cities offer a choice of sewer systems and garbage where food is in plentiful supply. Rats also abound in farms near granaries and where animal feed is stored and in the fields that offer a rich supply of food.

While rat populations temporarily reduce because of drowning during the floods, they rebound with greater intensity in the weeks afterward, because of the accumulation of garbage left uncollected as civic services break down. Houses that are damaged and abandoned during the floods can turn into rat sanctuaries, as they offer a habitat for shelter and breeding.

To control rat populations and prevent the transmission of disease, it’s critical for cleanup operations to happen as soon as possible after flood events. Buildings that are damaged by flooding and abandoned must be repaired and kept free of rodents afterward. Even cutting the grass and keeping the area clean can help prevent rats from nesting. Garbage bins must be kept closed to help control rats from eating and breeding.

Khomsia’s team continues to educate the community to maintain clean and healthy lifestyles, and to avoid direct contact with rats. “We also advise residents to always wash their hands with soap,” she emphasized.

Based on data from the Demak Regency Health Office (Dinkes), from 2010 to June 2024, there have been 625 cases of leptospirosis recorded, with 100 fatalities. The highest number of deaths occurred in 2018, with 24 leptospirosis patients succumbing out of a total of 92 cases.

Over the past 15 years, there has consistently been mortality due to leptospirosis except for 2015, when no fatalities were reported, although there were still 12 confirmed cases.

The number of leptospirosis cases in Demak Regency over the 15-year period has fluctuated, but there has been a continual increase over the past three years: 42 cases in 2022, 53 cases in 2023, and as of June 2024, there have already been 58 cases.

Looking at this data, Tri Handayani, sub-coordinator for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases at the Demak Health Office (Dinkes), mentioned that three sub-districts—Mranggen, Sayung, and Karangawen—have the highest number of leptospirosis cases, each with eight cases. This indicates that whether in coastal areas like Sayung or urban areas like Mranggen, there is always potential for finding leptospirosis cases.

“Whether it’s in coastal environments or not, the risk of contracting leptospirosis remains high as long as the area is unhealthy and contaminated,” she explained during an interview with Prohealth.id at her office on Friday, June 21, 2024.

Climate change, land use and leptospirosis

On February 9, 2024, Rizka, staff at the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Demak Regency, stated that the flash floods were due to high intensity in the upstream area. Over 40,000 hectares of paddy fields were flooded by the high water discharge that caused these flash floods, resulting in damage in seven districts.

Ali Maimun, head of the Health Office of Demak Regency, stated that the flash floods in February 2024 were the largest ever in Demak. Ali explained that the floods had the most impact in Karanganyar District, Demak Regency. The extremely severe flood conditions even caused the collapse of public health facilities, namely health centers in the area.

The threat of leptospirosis spikes during periods of heavy seasonal rainfall and flooding. Many environmental factors in Demak conspire to make it vulnerable to the disease. To start with, Demak Regency is historically known as a leptospirosis endemic area, meaning the disease is always present at a low level in the community. The bacterium can survive for long periods in soil and water.

Demak’s districts are prone to frequent flooding because of several lowlands that characterize its terrain. Worse, the land is sinking at the rate of 6 centimeters or more a year.

Besides, changes in land use over decades have destroyed green cover for housing in low-lying areas.

Large outbreaks often accompany natural disasters and tidal floods, which are occurring with dismal frequency in Demak because of climate change, particularly the El Niño and La Niña effects.

Java’s northern coastal villages are already prone to tidal flooding, because of the loss of nearly 80% of mangrove cover, which was a natural protection against erosion and flooding. Over the years, much agricultural land has become sites for industries and houses. The burden of leptospirosis is expected to rise as populations increase in urban areas at severe risk of flooding as the climate continues to change.

Public awareness campaigns are increasingly needed, especially for those working in agriculture, fields, and plantations, to always wear footwear such as boots. After all, leptospirosis transmission is due to the urine of rats infected with leptospirosis bacteria.

“During floods, be cautious because of dirty water. Don’t play in dirty water. If you have a fever accompanied by yellowing symptoms and pain in the leg muscles, go to the hospital or community health center immediately. Wash your hands frequently and practice proper hygiene, especially during floods,” explained Siti, head of the Communication and Public Service Bureau.

The government is reducing the incidence of leptospirosis cases by implementing surveillance measures at each community health center (puskesmas) in Demak Regency. Health center personnel promptly conduct Epidemiological Investigations (PE) upon finding cases of leptospirosis, aiming to trace the source of the cases, assess the extent of their geographic spread, and determine the number of affected individuals. In terms of prevention, they have collaborated with the health promotion (promkes) and empowerment sectors within their institutions.

“However, this prevention campaign isn’t solely focused on leptospirosis; we integrate it with other programs. For example, this year we’re focusing on dengue fever prevention, so we’re promoting both concurrently as they are both environment-based,” explained the official.

On the other hand, there hasn’t been a specific local regulation addressing leptospirosis in Demak Regency, despite the relatively high number of cases. Nevertheless, the Demak Regency Government claims to be addressing the issue seriously through the District Regulation (SK) No. 440/131 of 2023 concerning the Formation of the Regional Coordination Team for the Prevention and Control of Zoonoses and Emerging Infectious Diseases in Demak Regency.

In this regulation, the Regent of Demak formed five groups responsible for addressing leptospirosis, including the Community-Based Surveillance Working Group, Integrated Surveillance Working Group, Education and Behavioral Change Working Group, Vector and Environmental Control Working Group, and the Rapid Response Team. These groups involve cross-sectoral collaboration ranging from the Health Office, Community and Village Empowerment Agency, Population Control and Family Planning Agency, Communication and Information Agency, Regional Disaster Management Agency, and other institutions.

In implementing this regulation, the Health Office of Demak Regency, together with cross-sectoral institutions, has taken preventive measures to curb the spread of leptospirosis. Tri explained that these measures include collaboration with the local Red Cross (PMI) through decontamination programs. In addition to the Red Cross, the Health Office also collaborates with the Agriculture Office.

The disease not only has a serious impact on humans, but on animals as well, by causing abortions and stillbirths in farm animals such as dogs.

The bacteria can cross from mother to fetus through the placenta, to babies via breastfeeding and also through sexual contact. In humans, such routes of transmission are rare.

Other mammals can also harbor Leptospira. Wild animals, especially squirrels and other rodents, as well as domestic cattle, pigs and dogs—almost every mammal, including those that live in water, have been recorded to be carriers of various species of Leptospira.

“Especially in monitoring the transmission of leptospirosis from other animals, such as goats. There have been findings in the past, but it’s been a while since any new reports,” she said.

Rat surveillance to identify infected rodents is essential, particularly before monsoons, to assess the risk of potential outbreaks.

Ensuring safe infrastructure

According to Tanozisochi Lase, the director of sanitation at the Directorate General of Spatial Planning, Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR), sanitation issues, such as those experienced by several leptospirosis patients, are not solely the responsibility of the central government but primarily of local governments. Under Law No. 14 of 1950 concerning Local Governments, sanitation falls under their jurisdiction.

“If we want to change this, we need to amend the law. The law is lengthy. Building sanitation in Indonesia is actually simple—10 to 20 trillion Indonesian Rupiah and it’s done. But the law doesn’t say that. It’s the responsibility of local governments. Our task is to set standards, provide guidance, and assist those who are unable,” explained Anes to Prohealth.id during an interview at his office on April 19, 2024.

Indeed, the Ministry of PUPR has been assisting local governments, especially those with limited resources, in building sanitation facilities. However, the provision of sanitation development assistance is conditional and depends on the requests made by local governments. Often, local governments lack perspectives on proper, healthy, and safe waste management and sanitation practices. This is evidenced by the absence of comprehensive waste management master plans and local regulations on waste management. Anes concluded that the weak commitment of local governments in prioritizing sanitation management as a core program is evident.

“In PUPR sanitation, we have institutes that establish coordination frameworks and invite local governments. It has been communicated that assistance is available for those who are unable and incapable, but it comes with conditions. The requirement is that there must be a plan. Sometimes, local governments lack such planning,” clarified Anes, who is often referred to by his nickname.

He noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs is attempting to address this issue by issuing regulations on Minimum Service Standards (PP SPM), allowing local governments to allocate more funds to achieve minimum service standards, including sanitation. Unfortunately, Anes mentioned that these regulations do not yet include consequences or sanctions if local governments fail to implement these minimal service standards.

“Even if they do not fulfill their obligations (minimum service standards), they still receive Special Allocation Funds (DAK),” he added.

Regarding the transmission of leptospirosis in Demak following floods, Anes cited behavioral issues within the community. He mentioned that despite the availability of facilities and infrastructure for cleanliness, sometimes the community itself does not fully grasp the concept of healthy and hygienic living.

“In some cases, it’s not due to the absence of toilets. It’s because of improper usage, perhaps people are accustomed to defecating outside even though there is a toilet at home. Then during floods, they don’t wear shoes. Essentially, when we talk about health, it’s not purely technical; it’s mostly about education and behavior. It could be that someone isn’t knowledgeable but their behavior is correct,” explained Anes.

Dr. Imran Pambudi, director of Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases (P2PM) at the Ministry of Health, affirmed that each local government has its own focus for preventing zoonotic diseases. This means that leptospirosis may not necessarily be a priority for some local governments. Therefore, there are still implementation issues due to differing priorities.

Dr. Imran noted that handling leptospirosis in Indonesia still heavily relies on curative methods rather than preventive measures and early detection. He argued that this approach is not only due to the difficulties in delineating responsibilities at the local government level but also because it is economically cheaper.

“The medications for leptospirosis are not excessively expensive,” said Dr. Imran on April 2, 2024.

Establishing priorities in a One Health framework

According to Professor Wiku Adisasmito, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia (FKM UI), the quickest way to prevent leptospirosis is by handling the rat population in residential areas. Referring to the case in Demak, Professor Wiku pointed out that the issue of limited funding for preventive measures and early detection actually creates an opportunity for collaboration between developed countries, developing countries, and low-income countries. This is contextual in Indonesia due to the budgeting process being at the local government level.

“Developed countries can fund and provide medications or vaccines and share benefits through research on pathogens found in developing countries. Why are potential pandemic pathogens found in developing countries? Because their biodiversity is still good,” said Professor Wiku to Prohealth.id via Zoom on April 26, 2024.

However, to conduct surveillance with limited funds, benefit sharing is necessary. When a pathogen is found, money will be given to the country of origin of the pathogen and can be used for surveillance. According to Professor Wiku, this method is fair enough for developing countries to agree on the One Health mechanism.

“If you don’t want to share benefits, don’t want a One Health clause, that’s fine. Why not agree with One Health? It’s like you agree but don’t agree with benefit sharing? That’s not fair. You get the pathogen from our place, because it uses the sovereignty principle of developing countries. The principle of national sovereignty, so biodiversity belongs to them.”

Professor Wiku explained that this scheme is potential because it is accommodated in the Nagoya Protocol led by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). As a result, realizing this strategy cannot be regulated solely by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the World Health Organization. This complexity makes Professor Wiku believe that there must be streamlining to align the implementation of One Health. So far, from local to global, it has not been connected, making zoonosis management still weak in Indonesia.

In a study published in 2020, researchers noted that Tlogoweru village in Demak which practices owl-breeding had never reported a single case of leptospirosis in the 10 years preceding their study, a fact corroborated from the District Health office. The villagers rear and breed owls as a biological control agent to hunt rats and keep their population down.

Owl breeders obtain permission from the Forest Department to own and breed owls. The agriculture office obtains the services of the owl breeder and to rid the agricultural fields of rats and other rodents. This in turn reduces the risk of leptospirosis.

The researchers noted that the forestry and agriculture departments worked seamlessly with the village officials to both protect the harvest as well as become free of  leptospirosis. At the time the Department of Health had not similarly availed of the service of owl breeders and recommended that health officials too need to consider biological control of rats through owls, to reduce the risk of leptospirosis outbreaks.

Vulnerability factors in Demak

The head of the Demak District Health Office, Dr. Ali Maimun, M.Kes, acknowledges that preventing leptospirosis in Demak is challenging and requires consistency. Several indicators make Demak highly susceptible to leptospirosis.

“So, the floods that happened recently have nothing to do with the leptospirosis cases, as leptospirosis has been an issue in Demak for a long time. Demak has a lot of stagnant water due to tidal flooding in several areas and sub-districts. There are also many places for rats to live in Demak,” he said.

The vulnerability factors in Demak, besides environmental issues with a lot of stagnant water, also include the fact that most of the population’s livelihoods in farming and fishing. Most farmers and fishermen do not use footwear as personal protection. This condition increases the risk of leptospirosis transmission. For example, when there is a wound on a farmer’s foot who does not use protective gear, that farmer becomes more vulnerable to contracting leptospirosis.

The third factor, Dr. Ali acknowledged, is the high rat population in Demak. This condition clearly expands the area for leptospira bacteria transmission. Research by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has shown that leptospira bacteria are not only spread by rats but can also be transmitted through the urine of goats or cows.

“In the past, the coordination team of the Health Office recorded many leptospirosis patients who died, with high mortality rates. The leptospirosis diagnosis was late. They were hospitalized for just a few days and then died. It turned out to be leptospirosis,” he recalled.

However, now the Demak Regency Government has transformed leptospirosis management by relying on preventive measures. Initially, this was done through knowledge transfer and sharing tips on the dangers of leptospirosis by strengthening surveillance. Strengthening at the community health center level became a priority, allowing for regular early detection to identify leptospirosis. As a result, leptospirosis findings have indeed increased, but mortality rates have automatically decreased.

The form of knowledge transfer is naturally diverse. Following the issuance of the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Regulation, Number 7 of 2023, the Demak Regency Government collaborated with USAID to accelerate surveillance by encouraging policy changes. This method began with early detection not only through sampling from patients but also by speeding up surveillance from the primary source of spread, namely rats.

“There is funding to help with leptospirosis testing, and (USAID) facilitates blood sample testing from humans and animals (rats and livestock),” he said.

This surveillance effort is not carried out solely by the Health Office and supported by central assistance or donor agencies through grants. According to Dr. Ali, the Health Office coordinates environmental cleanliness through collaboration with other agencies. For instance, working with the Public Works Office to address river cleanliness issues. The Health Office also collaborates with the Livestock and Agriculture Offices to detect Leptospira in animals.

Reviewing commitment and harmonization

“For instance, for field rats, we work with the Agriculture Department to help with mass rat extermination in the fields. This synergy with the Agriculture Department is essential. All collaboration, integration, synergy, and updates to meet the needs of the government and the community have resulted in a decrease in leptospirosis mortality rates in Demak,” said Dr. Ali.

Professor Wiku Adisasmito, from the Faculty of Public Health at the University of Indonesia (FKM UI), stated that the process of implementing One Health cannot be separated from the management of biodiversity in Indonesia. Pathogens causing endemic or pandemic zoonoses are highly likely to emerge initially from biodiversity.

To support the prevention of zoonoses like leptospirosis without neglecting biodiversity, the government is revising the Law on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems.

“The revision of Law Number 5 of 1990 is crucial in maintaining the relevance of conservation principles, reinforced by implementation conditions to date. Thanks to a long and challenging process, 24 out of 45 Articles in Law Number 5 of 1990 remain intact,” said Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, presenting the government’s final opinion at a meeting on June 14, 2024.

In delivering the PANJA report, Siti Nurbaya emphasized that the spirit of strengthening Law Number 5 of 1990 has been formulated in response to the challenges of limited investigation and non-optimal sanctions. Through intensive discussions by the working committee, drafting team, and synchronization team, 21 Articles in Law Number 5 of 1990 were changed, introducing new elements. These include the regulation of conservation activities in KSA and KPA areas, conservation areas in waters, coastal regions, and small islands (KKPWP3K), and Preservation Areas, which are expected to strengthen the management of KSDAHE in these areas.

Additionally, the leadership and members of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) stressed the importance of formulating ecosystems outside conservation and state forest areas, especially in a new format within the KSDAHE Bill. The goal is to ensure the application of conservation principles outside KSA, KPA, and KKPWP3K areas through the regulation of Preservation Areas. This ensures that important ecosystems, including the presence of wild plants and animals outside KSA, KPA, and KKPWP3K, receive legal certainty in their management going forward.

Siti Nurbaya stated that the government successfully formulated the strengthening of prohibitions, sanctions, and criminal penalties to protect the integrity of Biological Natural Resources Conservation, including norms prohibiting wildlife crimes using social media. The same applies to clauses that emphasize and increase criminal penalties, including increased sanctions for corporations, and additional criminal penalties, such as compensation payments, ecosystem recovery costs, and costs for the rehabilitation, relocation, and release of animals.

Fahira Idris, a member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of the Republic of Indonesia from the Jakarta Special Capital Region (DKI Jakarta), mentioned that the revision of Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems (KSDAHE) is urgent to manage and preserve natural resources in Indonesia.

It is worth noting that Law Number 5 of 1990 on KSDAHE has served as the legal basis for organizing the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems for more than 30 years. This regulation is the primary reference for managing Indonesia’s biological natural resources through three conservation pillars: protecting life support systems, preserving species diversity of plants and animals and their ecosystems, and sustainably utilizing biological natural resources and their ecosystems.

The conservation of Biological Natural Resources and genetic ecosystems is vital for human life, necessitating regulations aimed at preserving and protecting these resources while improving welfare, optimizing resource use, and involving the community without neglecting the characteristics and sustainability of ecosystems.

According to Fahira, Law Number 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems requires refinement to accommodate legal developments and the legal needs of society regarding the organization of KSDAHE today. Moreover, this regulatory refinement represents policymakers’ commitment to preventing zoonoses and credibly and sustainably implementing the One Health commitment.

“Related to zoonosis and the One Health principle discussed from the beginning in the draft of this bill is the conservation medicine aspect. The proposal concerning the regulation of conservation medicine was removed because it constitutes the activity of animal health management, which is part of the preservation mechanism for plants and wildlife that has already been regulated under Government Regulation Number 7 of 1999 on the Preservation of Plants and Wildlife,” she said.

However, the draft of this bill will mandate provisions for the preservation of plant and wildlife diversity along with their ecosystems. Additionally, the preservation of plant and wildlife species and genetic diversity will be further regulated in a government regulation.

“We will wait to see how the regulations are shaped in the government regulation (PP).”

Prohealth.id noted that the Draft Law (RUU) on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems (KSDAHE) has actually been around since December 2017. At that time, the DPR leadership submitted the draft KSDAHE along with the academic script. Then on January 23, 2018, the State Secretariat (Setneg) attempted to present the KSDAHE draft and the academic script to the relevant internal ministries to discuss the inventory list of problems or DIM RUU. The delay in the KSDAHE bill was also due to opposition from civil society groups, who considered the KSDAHE revision process to be non-transparent.

In response, Fahira explained that community involvement in KSDAHE is directed and driven by the government and local governments through various useful and effective activities. In developing community involvement, the central and local governments foster and enhance KSDAHE awareness among the public through education and outreach.

“Community involvement in KSDAHE also includes the involvement of indigenous law communities carried out in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations. Further provisions regarding community involvement will be regulated in a Government Regulation (PP).”

However, in the KSDAHE Draft Law Meeting on July 9, 2024, the clause on zoonosis and One Health turned out to be out of the discussion. Confirmed through the Deputy Chairman of the Commission of the Fourth National Assembly, Anggia Ermarini, she did not answer the reason why zoonoses and One Health are not included in the KSDAHE bill. She said that the KSDAHE aims to implement the three pillars of conservation maintenance effectively, namely the protection, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and their ecosystems for their sustainability.

The KSDAHE draft law also guarantees the protection and sustainable management of natural habitats. Anggia said the KSDAHE guarantees education and public awareness of the importance of conservation of natural resources.

“The role as well as the community includes the customary law community in the implementation of conservation activities of natural resources and its ecosystems,” she said.

While not including zoonoses and One Health, Anggia hopes the KSDAHE draft law would guarantee adequate budget availability for conservation activities of natural resources and ecosystems. That way, the government can deal with the human conflict with the wildlife that’s been going on all this time.

This story was produced with support from Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in Prohealth.id on July 18, 2024. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Banner image: The Health Service inspects the homes of residents in Demak who are affected by leptospirosis / Credit: Iwan Arifianto.