Deforestation and Disasters: Sumatran Communities Bear the Burden

Flash floods and landslides in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra have resulted in at least 753 fatalities and 650 missing persons. Data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of December 3, 2025, also recorded that 3.3 million individuals have been affected by this disaster.

This condition is a sign that the impacts of the climate crisis are real. The increasingly extreme weather is evidenced by heavy and unpredictable rainfall. The extreme weather occurring in Sumatra and several other regions in Asia is estimated to be caused by the tropical cyclone Senyar, which according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, is an unusual phenomenon.

According to a lecturer from the Department of Geophysics and Meteorology at IPB University, Sonni Setiawan, tropical cyclones that form very close to the equator, as is happening now, are rare occurrences. The formation of tropical cyclones typically follows the movement of the sun.

"However, this year an anomaly has emerged because the formation occurred very close to the equator. This phenomenon of tropical cyclones near the equator serves as a reminder for the community to be better prepared to face extreme weather that will occur more frequently," he stated as quoted from the IPB University website.

Nevertheless, the flooding and landslides occurring in Sumatra are not solely influenced by extreme weather. The condition of damaged forests and unwise land conversion further exacerbates the resulting impacts.

Many natural forests in North Sumatra Province have been converted into plantations, dryland agriculture, and tree plantations.

Greenpeace's analysis, referencing data from the Ministry of Forestry for the period 1990-2024, indicates that many natural forests in North Sumatra Province have been converted into plantations, dryland agriculture, and tree plantations. A similar situation is also occurring in Aceh and West Sumatra. Land conversion is also taking place in watershed areas.

According to a report by Greenpeace, the Batang Toru river basin is one of the river basins in a severely damaged condition. This river basin area includes North Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, and Central Tapanuli regencies. This region, which constitutes the last stretch of tropical rainforest in Sumatra, has also been filled with industries, including the Batang Toru hydropower plant.

During the period from 1990 to 2022, it was recorded that in the Batang Toru watershed, deforestation occurred over an area of 70,000 hectares, or approximately 21 percent of the watershed's total area. The remaining area of natural forest is only 167,000 hectares, which accounts for 49 percent of the watershed's total area.

It was also reported that land-based and extractive licensing areas total 94,000 hectares or 28 percent. The majority is for business permits for forest utilization, mining business license areas, and palm oil plantations.

The upstream area of the watershed has been converted for dryland agriculture. Meanwhile, the downstream area has largely been repurposed for palm oil plantations and pulp industry. Natural forests are only found in the central part of the watershed.

Senior researcher of the Greenpeace Indonesia Forest Campaign Team, Sapta Ananda Proklamasi, stated in a press release on December 2, 2025, that the majority of watersheds on the island of Sumatra are already in critical condition. The coverage of natural forests is now less than 25 percent.

"Meanwhile, overall there are now only 10 million to 14 million hectares of natural forest remaining, or less than 30 percent of the total area of Sumatra Island, which is 47 million hectares," he said.

Separately, forest policy expert and Professor at IPB University, Dodik Ridho Nurochmat stated that if forest cover is less than 30 percent, it indicates that deforestation has occurred. The decrease in forest cover must be taken seriously as it impacts the carrying capacity and resilience of the environment.

He added that a thorough investigation is needed into the large number of large and small pieces of wood that were swept away by the floods in Sumatra. The large number of pieces of wood found could be caused by many factors, such as the impact of logging, fallen trees, or land clearing.

"It could be from old logging or incomplete land clearing. If carried away by the water current, the wood will float. However, it could also be from new logging. Therefore, an investigation is necessary," said Dodik.

Visibly, timber from logging typically has clear saw marks. Meanwhile, wood that has fallen naturally does not exhibit a neat cutting pattern.

However, apart from that, Dodik emphasized that the conditions related to the disaster in Sumatra highlight the importance of improving environmental governance. Floods and landslides do not only occur due to extreme weather but are exacerbated by environmental degradation caused by human activities.

This was also conveyed by the Chair of the Greenpeace Indonesia Forest Campaign Team, Arie Rompas. The major floods occurring in Sumatra signify the impacts of the climate crisis that can no longer be avoided, as well as the effects of long-standing environmental degradation.

According to him, the government must seriously reform land and forest management policies comprehensively. This is urgent to save ecosystems and communities from the impacts of climate disasters.

The increasingly severe climate crisis, coupled with damaged forests and declining environmental carrying capacity, will further impact the community. The government must also acknowledge that forest and land management has been conducted improperly.

"As a result, the forests of Sumatra are nearly depleted, severe environmental degradation has occurred, and now the people of Sumatra must bear the high cost of this ecological disaster," said Arie.

Previously, the Regent of South Tapanuli, Gus Irawan, stated that the disaster occurring in South Tapanuli is partly triggered by logging permits issued by the Ministry of Forestry in the upstream area of Batang Toru. A request to revoke the permit has been submitted, but activities related to logging continue to proceed.

The Director General of Sustainable Forest Management at the Ministry of Forestry, Laksmi Wijayanti, stated in a press release that a comprehensive evaluation regarding the information system for forest product management (SIPUHH) has been ordered by the Minister of Forestry in June 2025. She also mentioned that there have been no land rights holders (PHAT) in the South Tapanuli Regency who have received access to SIPUHH since July 2025.

He stated that illegal activities in the PHAT area of South Tapanuli did indeed occur. However, on October 4, 2025, the Law Enforcement Agency of the Ministry of Forestry, in collaboration with the local government, addressed the issue by apprehending four timber transport trucks.

"We will not compromise on the practice of abusing HAT documents or the utilization of illegal timber. Law enforcement will proceed against anyone who violates," said Laksmi.