IPB: Wood Materials In Bandang Flood Locations Indicate Serious Environmental Damage

Sampah logung yang terbawa banjir di Tapanuli, Sumatra (Antara)

JAKARTA - Forest Policy Expert IPB University Prof. Dr. Ir Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat said logs scattered after the flash floods and landslides in North Sumatra and West Sumatra must be investigated to determine the origin of the cause.

"It can be from old logging or incomplete land clearing. If it is carried away by the flow of water, the wood will float, but it could also be from new logging. For that there must be an investigation," said Dodik, quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 4.

The Professor of the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, said that the large and small wood that appeared to be scattered in the disaster site did not come from one single cause.

The wood, he said, may come from a mixture of logging, fallen trees, and land clearing residue.

He has not been able to confirm whether the wood is entirely a new log or old wood that was dragged by the current.

"Debit air besar saat longsorang, memungkinkan pohon terjadi ikut terlibat sehingga menambah campuran bahan kayu di lokasi," katanya.

Prof. Dodik explained that the difference between wood from logging and wood fell naturally. The wood from the slash must have clear saw marks, while the wood that fell naturally did not show a neat cut pattern.

He emphasized the need for improving environmental governance so that similar incidents can be prevented.

Regarding the cause of the landslide, Prof. Dodik said that the incident was a combination of natural factors and human factors.

"There are extreme weather factors, geographical conditions of the mountains, and environmental damage caused by human activities," he said.

He highlighted the importance of compliance with regulations such as Amdal, Strategic Environment Studies, and law enforcement that not only focus on fines, but also environmental restoration.

Touching on deforestation data in northern Sumatra, Prof. Dodik explained that forest cover loss includes degradation, while deforestation has its own legal limits.

"In Indonesia, the limit is 30 percent. If it's less than that, deforestation occurs," he said.

He reminded that the decline in forest cover should be taken seriously because it has an impact on the carrying capacity and capacity of the environment.

Prof. Dodik reminded the importance of forest multifunction and forest utilization that maintains sustainability. "Take advantage of the forest without destroying it," he said.