KLH Finds Indications of Illegal Palm Oil and Mines in Hulu Sungai Aceh

Aerial monitoring conducted by KLH/BPLH showed the opening of the upstream area of the DAS for plantations during the review of the Minister of LH/Head of BPLH Hanif Faisol Nurofiq to Aceh, Sunday (14/12/2025) (KLH doc)

JAKARTA - Minister of Environment (LH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said his party found that the condition of the river upstream was degraded and there were indications of encroachment on forest and land areas for illegal palm oil plantations and mining during a review to Aceh.

Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) Hanif stated that he saw clearly the severely degraded landscape, where the upstream area of the river basin (DAS) which should have been a buffer ecosystem now appears open with the river channel widening unnaturally and the traces of landslides leading directly to the residents' settlements.

This condition, he explained, shows that the flash flood tragedy in East Aceh is not merely a natural event, but a loud signal of serious pressure on the environmental carrying capacity due to illegal activities.

"We came not only to see, but to ensure that the state is really present for the affected people. The safety of the people is the most important, and the damaged environment should not continue to be left alone," said Hanif in his statement, Monday, December 15.

Not only that, in the aerial review which followed the eastern coastal area of Aceh with the Tusam route, Lhokseumawe, Langsa, to Aceh Tamiang, his party found strong indications of encroachment on forest and land areas for illegal palm oil plantations and mining activities, including on hill slopes with an extreme slope of over 45 degrees.

This practice has effectively eliminated the function of forests as natural water control and increased the risk of hydrometeorological disasters.

Minister Hanif strongly reminded that land management in areas with extreme slopes is very dangerous and contrary to the principle of environmental protection. Such illegal practices not only cause damage to forests and land, but also threaten the lives of people living in downstream areas.

"There is no tolerance for violations that damage the environment and endanger the people. Whoever is proven to have violated, we will take action according to the applicable law," he explained.

Following up on the field findings, the KLH/BPLH immediately conducted a thorough evaluation of the impact of forest and land damage in the affected areas.

The evaluation includes an assessment of forest conditions, water supply systems, and changes in land use which have been proven to contribute to the increased risk of disasters. KLH/BPLH guarantees that a number of corporations suspected of contributing to the damage will be dealt with firmly through forced law enforcement efforts.