GORONTALO - The Environment and Forestry Service (DLHK) and the Sulawesi River Regional Office (BWSS) II of Gorontalo Province stated that unlicensed gold miners (PETI) were the main trigger for a number of flash floods that occurred in Pohuwato Regency, such as in Buntulia and Marisa Districts in recent times.
According to the results of the two institutions' investigations, PETI's activities over the years have resulted in severe sedimentation, river silting and changing the river bed. This condition is a cause of flash floods, especially during high rainfall.
This is the conclusion of the institution after conducting field visits and interviews with several unlicensed miners in October 2025. This conclusion is in line with the statement of the Gorontalo Police Chief Irjen Pol Widodo on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in which the Police Chief stated that unlicensed mining activities had caused flooding in several places in Buntulia and Marisa Districts.
The Police Chief issued the statement after seeing the opening of the forest carried out by the illegal miners. Researchers from the Provincial DLHK stated that the Dulamayo River and the llota River, which originally had a smooth flow, are now experiencing significant siltation in several parts, especially near the illegal gold mining area.
"This causes the flow of water to be blocked, exacerbating the potential for flooding during high rainfall. In addition, the large amount of material piles from the former PETI that use heavy equipment blocks the flow of water," quoted the DLHK Team report signed by Romly Utiarahman, Friday, January 16.
The report also mentions that there are several negative impacts caused by PETI, including among others, siltation and narrowing of river flow, erosion and deforestation, water pollution and changes in river flow.
Meanwhile, the BWSS II Team, headed by Moh Isnaen Muhidin, Head of Operations and Maintenance of Natural Resources, found many community miners in the steep cliff area and many land openings.
As is known, the length of the Taluduyunu River from upstream to the sea of Tomini Bay is around 14.8 kilometers. The river flows to Hulawa Village and the Marisa area through three main rivers, namely the Dulamayo River, Botudulanga and Taluduyunu.
According to estimates, the total area of land openings by PETI is 612 hectares, while the land openings in the Nature Reserve Area and the Buffer Area are 370.75 hectares. The area of land openings within the Nature Reserve causes an increase in water discharge and large amounts of sedimentation towards the river due to the loss of water catchment areas.
This increase in water discharge and sedimentation can directly increase the risk of flash floods, especially in Hulawa Village to Marisa City.
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