7 Companies Called Responsible For Ecological Disasters In North Sumatra

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) of North Sumatra assesses that seven companies are responsible for the ecological disasters that have hit Tapanuli since Tuesday, November 25.

Floods and landslides affected eight districts/cities, with the most severe South Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli. Tens of thousands of residents fled, thousands of houses were destroyed, and thousands of hectares of agricultural land were swept away by floods.

Currently, 51 villages in 42 sub-districts are affected, the economy is paralyzed, infrastructure is damaged, including houses of worship and schools.

The worst disaster occurred in the Harangan Tapanuli or Batang Toru Ecosystem area, a tropical forest that acts as the main hydrological buffer for North Sumatra.

Walhi said, about 66.7% of this ecosystem is located in North Tapanuli, 22.6% in South Tapanuli, and 10.7% in Central Tapanuli. This forest is a source of water and prevents flooding and erosion, as well as the center of the river basin (DAS).

North Sumatra's Walhi Executive Director, Rianda Purba, said seven companies suspected of triggering forest damage, namely PT Agincourt Resources ( Martabe gold mine), PT NSHE (PLTA Batang Toru), PT Pahae Julu Micro-Hydro Power, PT SOL Geothermal Indonesia, PT Toba Pulp Lestari, PT Sago Nauli Plantation, and PTPN III Batang Toru Estate.

"All operate in or around Batang Toru, the habitat of Tapanuli orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and other protected animals," explained Rianda in a written statement, Sunday, November 30.

Rianda detailed that the damage caused included the loss of hundreds of hectares of forest cover, river sedimentation, water discharge fluctuations, degradation of animal corridors, and the conversion of land functions into eucalyptus and palm oil plantations. This industrial activity triggered flash floods and landslides, according to Walhi.

"Floods and landslides are not just caused by rain. Satellite imagery shows deforestation in affected locations. This is an ecological disaster caused by human intervention," he said.

Walhi, said Rianda, demanded that the government stop industrial activities in Batang Toru, take action against perpetrators of vandalism, establish ecosystem protection policies, and ensure the basic needs of survivors. Specifically for PT Agincourt Resources, Walhi noted that the company opened around 120 hectares of new land, potentially destroying rivers and animal habitats.

"Hopefully the survivors will be given strength. The state must act and punish violators so that this disaster does not happen again," concluded Rianda.