ABSTRAKKepolisian Kehutanan dilimpahkan kepada Unit Pelaksana Teknis Daerah Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan atau disebut UPTD KPH Kambuno, bertugas menjaga dan melestarikan hutan lindung di Kecamatan Seko Kabupaten Luwu Utara Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Hal ini berawal dari Surat Keputusan Menteri Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Nomor 371 tanggal 17 September 2020 diikuti Peraturan Gubernur Sulawesi Selatan Nomor 19 Tahun 2023 tentang Organisasi dan Tata Kerja Unit Pelaksana Teknis Daerah. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui kewajiban tugas dan hambatan yang dihadapi oleh Polisi Hutan dalam menjaga hutan lindung. Penelitian ini memperhatikan kinerja aparat kepolisian kehutanan dengan menggunakan metode penelitian hukum empiris untuk melihat, mengkaji, mengamati aktivitas Polisi Kehutanan melalui sudut pandang hukum. Penelitian ini menggunakan teknik pengumpulan data melalui observasi dan wawancara secara langsung. Hasil penelitian ini menemukan bahwa belum optimalnya efektivitas pelaksanaan perlindungan hutan karena mengalami berbagai tantangan, termasuk kekurangan personel, fasilitas yang kurang memadai, keterbatasan dana operasional, lemahnya koordinasi antar lembaga, dan rendahnya kesadaran masyarakat serta menemui berbagai hambatan dalam melaksanakan tugas-tugasnya.Kata kunci: hutan lindung, efektivitas polisi hutan; pengawasan hutan. ABSTRACTThe Forestry Police were delegated to the Regional Technical Implementation Unit of the Forest Management Unit (UPTD KPH Kambuno), tasked with guarding and preserving protected forests in Seko District, North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province. This decision stemmed from Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number 371 dated September 17, 2020, which was then followed by Regulation of the Governor of South Sulawesi Number 19 of 2023 concerning the Organization and Work Procedures of Regional Technical Implementation Units. This study aims to determine the duties and obstacles faced by the Forestry Police in guarding protected forests. This study examines the performance of forestry police officers using empirical legal research methods to observe, review, and observe Forestry Police activities from a legal perspective. This study used data collection techniques through direct observation and interviews. The results of this study found that the effectiveness of forest protection implementation is less than optimal due to various challenges including a shortage of personnel, inadequate infrastructure, limited operational funds, weak coordination between institutions, and low public awareness, as well as encountering various obstacles in carrying out their duties.Keywords: protected forests; forest police effectiveness; forest monitoring.