Ladia Galaska project

Ladia Galaska project

The Ladia Galaska road project in the Gunung Leusser ecosystem
in Aceh is proving to be even more of a disaster than predicted.
According to the observations of the Indonesian Environmental
Forum (Walhi) Aceh a large flood occurred on Sept. 3, marked by
the overflowing of several rivers, like Krueng Teunom, Krueng
Sabee, Krueng Meureubo, and Krueng Nagan.

This flood resulted in tens of thousands of inhabitants
fleeing, hundreds of flooded houses, forced school closings, and
transport disruptions for at least 36 hours.

The flood was the second this year, following an earlier
incident in May, and is further indication of the dangerous
consequences of this ill-considered project, which is far from
completion.

The Acehnese regional authorities chose to undertake, with the
approval of former president Megawati, the construction of this
road. They ignored repeated warnings of impending environmental
problems from concerned scientific organizations.

The project was blamed for the tragic flood in Bukit Lawang,
which destroyed the tourist village, killing almost 200
individuals, and ravaged the tourist economy that many
inhabitants depended upon for their survival.

For people like myself, who have visited the area and its
wonderful people and spectacular wildlife, this willfully
destructive behavior is heartbreakingly sad. I implore the
citizens of Indonesia to stand up to the regional administrations
that make these irresponsible decisions that cause destruction of
forests, wildlife and human communities, before it's too late

ANTHONY GALLIGANI, New York