Controversial plan increases risks of flood, illegal logging and poaching of endangered species on Sumatra

The 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, 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.

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). 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.

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."