Minister Of Environment: Flooded Wood Is A Combination Of Fallen Trees

JAKARTA - Minister of Environment (LH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the results of the initial examination showed that the wood dragged by the flood was a combination of a natural fallen tree and wood material that entered was not natural to the river body.

"We ensure that the wood material that fills the river flow does not come from upstream of Batang Toru. However, we are still conducting the inspection process in detail," said Minister of Environment and Forestry Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, ANTARA, Sunday, December 7.

"If later it is found that someone deliberately throws away or lets wood material enter the river flow to increase the risk of flooding, then we will immediately apply legal action, including criminal acts," he added.

This step was taken after he made a working visit and field verification in Garoga District, North Tapanuli Regency, as part of an emergency response to floods and landslides that hit the upstream area of the Watershed (DAS).

Minister Hanif reviewed the affected points, had direct dialogue with residents who lost their homes and basic access, and monitored the flow of the Garoga River which was filled with wood materials.

Initial checking results show a combination of natural fallen trees and the unnatural entry of wood material into the river body, which is thought to exacerbate the impact of flooding.

This field finding will be studied further by an environmental study team involving environmental experts, academics, and the KLH/BPLH audit team to trace sources, material movement patterns, and potential violations of space utilization.

The visit aims to ensure that emergency handling runs quickly, map out environmental causes, and affirm the commitment of the Ministry of Environment (KLH)/Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) to conduct comprehensive environmental studies before determining recovery and law enforcement measures.

Not only that, he said, based on air verification and field inspections for the last two days KLH/BPLH added one company to the list of temporary suspensions of business activities until the environmental audit is complete.

So that a total of four companies are currently temporarily suspended operations. This temporary suspension is a preventive measure to ensure business activities do not worsen the hydrological condition and safety of the community in the upstream area of the watershed.

The process of environmental audit, inspection of licensing compliance, and evaluation of space utilization will be carried out strictly, transparently, and involve independent experts.

"The handling of this disaster must start from facts in the field and accurate environmental studies. If someone deliberately damages the function of the upstream watershed, the law will take firm action for the safety of the community and environmental sustainability," said Minister of Environment and Forestry Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.