KLH Starts Calling 8 Companies Operating In Batang Toru Watershed

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment (KLH) summoned four of the eight companies active in Batang Toru Watersheds on Monday, to examine the potential contribution of business activities to floods and landslides in the region.

"Yes, today eight companies are being called alternately. Today four companies, tomorrow four companies, which have environmental approval within the Batang Toru Watershed," said Environment Minister (LH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq as reported by ANTARA, Monday, December 8.

Eight companies were summoned to provide information to the Deputy for Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Environment and Environment Control Agency (BPLH) including PT AR which is engaged in mining.

Then there are PT TPL, PT TN/PT SNP and PT MST which are engaged in the forestry sector, including the owner of forest concession permits, PTPN III which are engaged in plantations, as well as PT NSHE, PT PJMHP, and PT SGI which are the managers of new and renewable energy projects.

Previously, Minister LH Hanif had ordered a temporary suspension of operations from four companies in Batang Toru watershed including oil palm companies, mines, power plants, and Industrial Plants Forests (HTI). Temporary suspension is carried out to conduct environmental audits.

"Today all are being evaluated. Then four of them, we will stop operations. Because it is suspected that they contributed quite a lot in the flood in Batang Toru," said Minister of Environment.

Previously, the Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement KLH/BPLHRizal Irawan in an official statement explained that the air monitoring results showed that there was a massive land clearing that increased pressure on the watershed.

"From the helicopter's overview, it can be seen that land clearing activities for hydropower, industrial plantation forests, mining, and oil palm plantations are clearly seen. This pressure triggers a decline in wood material and erosion in large quantities. We will continue to expand surveillance to Batang Toru, Garoga, and other watersheds in North Sumatra," said Rizal Irawan.