Tragedy on Bahorok scale may be repeated<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Spokesman of the Leuser Management Unit (UML), Denny Purba,
\nsuggested that the authorities conduct a comprehensive study of
\nthe Leuser Ecosystem Region (KEL), where the Bahorok river system
\nis located, to determine the root cause of the flash flood.<\/p>\n
"The landslides and flash flood were most likely caused by
\nnumerous factors. We can't just blame the rain," he told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Deny said local residents had been persuaded by the owners of
\nseveral timber companies to log areas within KEL, including the
\nprotected Mount Leuser National Park.<\/p>\n
He argued that forest concession holders are often close to
\nlocal figures, such as security officials, government officials
\nand councillors. Therefore, the law cannot touch them, he said.<\/p>\n
Sources told The Jakarta Post that both the rapidly
\ndeteriorating forest and the absence of law enforcement within
\nthe national park had contributed to it's mismanagement.<\/p>\n
Corrupt and collusive practices, the sources said, have been
\nrampant because the Leuser project is jointly financed by the
\nEuropean Union and the Indonesian government.<\/p>\n
"Government officers and security personnel have kept their
\nmouths shut and even backed up illegal logging for their own
\nfinancial gain. These criminal activities apparently suit
\nbusinessmen, as without illegal logging they cannot meet the
\nincreasing demands of the international market," the sources
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
A repeat of the Bahorok tragedy, in which more than 140 people
\ndied, is only a matter of time. Moreover, if forest conservation
\nis not prioritized other regencies could face similar disasters,
\nthe sources predicted.<\/p>\n
They said that the Consortium Group on Indonesia (CGI) had
\ninserted a clause on forest conservation into an agreement with
\nEuropean donor countries. However, this would have little effect
\non pressurizing the government to crack down on illegal logging,
\nsince the donor countries had their own business interests in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
The London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)
\ncalled on foreign donors to consider tying future assistance to
\nevidence that the Indonesian government is cracking down on
\nillegal logging. It urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri to
\ntake a lead in fighting corruption.<\/p>\n
EIA has alleged that the military, through its private
\nbusinesses, has been involved in illegal logging and the
\noperation of sawmills, to make up for the shortage in the troops'
\ndaily expenses.<\/p>\n
Bukit Barisan Military Commander, which oversees North
\nSumatra, Maj. Gen. Tritamtomo has both denied the involvement of
\nthe military as an institution and challenged the public to
\nproduce proof of its involvement.<\/p>\n
Agus Sutiadi, a senior staff member of the National
\nDevelopment Planning Board (Bappenas) who handles multilateral
\ncooperation with foreign countries in Mount Leuser National
\nPark's sustainable management program has come up with a
\nproposal.<\/p>\n
He says it is more effective and efficient to reroute the road
\nnetwork outside the park and resettle more than 300 families
\nliving inside the park than to clear the park for the road
\nnetwork "because the costs are too high."<\/p>\n
Walhi director in Medan Herwin Nasution has lambasted the
\ngovernment for what it claims are mostly rhetorical responses to
\nthe destruction of the national park.<\/p>\n
He says the government cannot blame the condition of the park
\non foreign countries or third parties, as it has failed to
\nenforce the law and bring the perpetrators of illegal logging to
\njustice.<\/p>\n
"International pressure, in terms of eco-labeling or forest
\nproduct certification, will be ineffective, unless we first show
\nour own commitment to complying with the law and taking harsher
\naction against illegal loggers," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tragedy-on-bahorok-scale-may-be-repeated-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}