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Press Release from Dr. Carel van Schaik, June 1999 Report on Illegal Logging in Indonesia by EIA Suggested reading regarding orangutans at Suaq Balimbing |
Roads Project Threatens 100,000 Species in Sumatran Biodiversity HotspotControversial plan increases risks of flood, illegal logging and poaching of endangered species on SumatraThe USA, Japan and the World Bank co-sponsored a meeting in Tokyo on December 3, 2002, to plan the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Aceh Province, Indonesia. Delegates from at least 23 countries planned to attend the meeting, intended to foster peace and prosperity in this region of rich biodiversity and rampant political corruption (see Jakarta Post article). One of the proposals to be discussed at the meeting is a major road network that could eventually lead to the destruction of all high biodiversity areas in Leuser Ecosystem, one of the most important conservation areas on Earth. The abundant rainforests and beautiful rivers in the Leuser Ecosystem
of Aceh are among the last refuges for such endangered species as
Sumatran rhinos, tigers, orangutans Leuser Ecosystem also supports more than two million indigenous people. Current roads through Leuser have already led to uncontrolled illegal logging, triggering floods that, in turn, have caused major destruction of public infrastructure and loss of lives. After a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 26, 2002, the provincial government of Aceh got approval from the ministers of the central government to go ahead with the controversial road development plans known as "Ladia Galaska." An alliance of local NGO's in Indonesia has been formed to campaign against the new road projects in Leuser. The roads in the Ladia Galaska proposal cut through conservation
forests (including the designated Mount Leuser National Park) and
'protection forests' (generally, non-conservation forests that have
an average slope of 40% or more) Mr. Yarrow Robertson, who has been working to conserve the Leuser Ecosystem for years, said, "The effect of Ladia Galaska can be predicted because of precedents in Leuser. In 1982, USAID helped fund a road project that split the Mt. Leuser National Park in two. Aerial photographs taken before and after clearly show that USAID helped facilitate uncontrolled illegal settlements along the road inside the National Park." Ms. Michelle Merrill, who is facilitating an online petition and letter writing campaign at http://www.duke.edu/~mym1/ladia_galaska.htm, added, "When I was in Leuser in 1999, the forest where I was studying orangutans was pillaged by illegal loggers. New road building through this supposedly protected ecosystem will only make the problem worse." Roberto Delgado, another orangutan researcher who worked in Leuser, said, "I read about this crazy road the other week and nearly started crying." Since 1998, independent studies have consistently ranked Indonesia as one of the most corrupt countries in Southeast Asia. Recent reports have estimated that the military derives almost 70% of its operational revenue from non-budgetary sources, especially illegal logging, drugs, gambling and other protection rackets. In one incident, the regional military command in Medan operated a foundation that helped build a road used for illegal logging operations inside the National Park in Langkat. The permit was issued by the head of the National Park. Recently, top levels of the military have issued commands to all military units around Leuser to ensure that no military personnel are involved in illegal logging. Mr. Robertson noted, "With enough pressure on [international] donors, they will put sufficient pressure on the Aceh provincial government, so they can decide what direction they want to take, and hopefully decide what's best for the majority of people of Aceh, not just those linked to logging businesses. We need this push now because if everyone were to lobby hard, we could prevent this certain destruction from happening."
Article by Michelle Merrill (based in part on work of Yarrow Robertson) A petition to the World Bank Group is now on line. Click here to sign the petition, then tell your friends!Find out more through BOS (click the "Urgent!" button) and IPPL. BOS has also reprinted a Jakarta Post article about the situation.Please click here to see a briefing on this project (in PDF format). Sections 5 and 6 are especially important for understanding the current crisis. Click here for sample letters to send to legislators, newspapers, etc. Click here for e-mails, fax #s, phone #s and addresses of US Senators and Representatives.Note to media: I have Hi8 video of orangutans and illegal logging in Leuser Ecosystem that can be made available, photos of the orangutans and the forest, and I'm available to give a personal account of the region based on my work there in 1999. Please contact me via e-mail (mym1@NOSPAMduke.edu) or phone 831-234-0898. |
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sun bears and elephants. Efforts are being made to propose the Leuser
Ecosystem for nomination as a World Heritage Site. It is recognized
as one of the top twenty-five critical ecosystems in the world.
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Local and provincial governments have ignored the legal requirements
for environmental impact assessments, and have asked the central government
to release funds for the roads. Proponents of Ladia Galaska rejected
alternative proposals that would benefit more people. Many proponents
are linked to logging businesses, and the alternative road schemes
link up villages in non-forest areas.