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