Jakarta, March 17 -- Indonesia plans to issue a presidential instruction to safeguard elephant populations and habitats, ensuring coordination between the Ministry of Forestry, permit holders, and local governments for areas outside conservation zones, officials said.

Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki said the order will cover Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) and Bornean elephants (Elephas maximus borneensis) as part of President Prabowo Subianto's wildlife conservation commitment.

He said the instruction aims to integrate multiple ministries and agencies, along with regional governments, to protect elephant habitats, many of which are now fragmented.

"Elephant habitats are no longer limited to conservation areas. ...