The Misery of the Fragile "Backbone" of Sumatra

The ecological disaster that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra last week has left behind sorrow. More than 600 people have died. Nearly 500 residents are still missing. This tragedy highlights the fragility of the Bukit Barisan ecosystem as the "backbone" of Sumatra Island due to continuous exploitation.

The Bukit Barisan is a mountain range that stretches 1,650 kilometers from Aceh to Lampung. Its function is very crucial. Many important rivers originate there, such as the Alas and Batangtoru, which flow into the western coast (Indian Ocean), as well as the Indragiri, Batanghari, and Musi, which flow into the eastern coast (Malacca Strait). This area serves as a water source that supports life.

However, the current condition of the Bukit Barisan is suffering. Land conversion is reducing its ability to retain water. The rate of deforestation is unrestrained. Many natural forests are being transformed into industrial forests, palm oil plantations, agricultural land, mining areas, and power plants.

The Manager of Ecological Disaster Management and Prevention at the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), Melva Harahap, stated that corporations operating in the Bukit Barisan area must take responsibility for the disaster. According to Walhi's records, from 2016 to 2025, an area of 1.4 million hectares of forest in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra has been deforested due to the activities of 631 companies holding mining permits, oil palm plantation business rights (HGU), forest utilization business permits (PBPH), geothermal, hydropower plant permits (PLTA), and micro-hydro power plants (PLTM).

"The Barisan Mountains are a buffer area that protects Sumatra with strong environmental support capacity," he said in Jakarta, Monday (1/12/2025).

Land conversion weakens the environment's carrying capacity. Floodwaters mixed with mud and driftwood are clear evidence of the damage to the Bukit Barisan ecosystem. The area can no longer withstand heavy rainfall. Most of the water doesn't infiltrate the ground, flowing on the surface or becoming runoff, triggering flooding and flash floods.

Disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra originate from large river basin areas whose upstream is located in the Bukit Barisan forest range. In North Sumatra, for instance, the most severe disasters have struck regions within the Harangan Tapanuli ecosystem (Batang Toru), namely South Tapanuli Regency, Central Tapanuli Regency, North Tapanuli Regency, and the city of Sibolga. Data from WALHI indicates that the ecosystem there has experienced deforestation covering an area of 72,938 hectares (2016-2024) due to the operations of 18 companies.

This area is no longer able to withstand high rainfall.

Melva stated that the ecological disaster resulted in the collapse of the social structures in the affected areas. The people suffered material losses, such as the loss of family members, homes, possessions, livestock, gardens, and the right to live in safety and comfort. This disaster also damaged several facilities, ranging from roads, bridges, schools, healthcare services, to electricity and communication networks.

"Indeed, Law Number 24 of 2007 on Disaster Management mandates the state to protect its citizens from occurring disasters. The reality on the ground is that the basic rights and lives that are the responsibility of the state cannot be fulfilled," he explained.

The Executive Director of WALHI North Sumatra, Rianda Purba, stated that spatial planning policies, especially in disaster-prone areas, must be evaluated. In addition, he urged the government to revoke the operational permits of companies that contribute to the disaster.

"Followed by the restoration of the damaged ecosystem in the Bukit Barisan. It is also important to hinder new permits to anticipate similar disasters in the future," he said.

Rianda added that the landscape of the Bukit Barisan also serves as a habitat for endangered wildlife, such as the Sumatran tiger and the Tapanuli orangutan. When nature is destroyed and forests continue to be cleared, these animals and other biodiversity are also threatened.

"Therefore, ecosystem restoration must be a priority. Make forest protection the frontline in programs to anticipate future disasters. Nature has already exposed all the lies concealed by various government policies," he stated.

A lecturer from the Geodesy and Geomatics Study Program at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Heri Andreas, stated that areas with natural vegetation cover, such as forests and swamps, have a better capacity for water absorption. However, when natural water retention areas are lost, those regions also lose their ability to retain runoff.

"As a result, the rain that falls immediately flows quickly into the river and triggers flooding," he said.

According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as of Tuesday at 16:30, the death toll from the disaster in Sumatra has reached 686 people, with 476 others still missing. This disaster has also forced more than 1 million residents to evacuate.

No less than 9,000 houses were damaged. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 people were injured due to the floods and landslides. This disaster also destroyed bridges and educational facilities.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Pratikno, stated that all government resources, including TNI personnel, Polri, local governments, and volunteers, continue to work at all posts. The emergency response phase is the top priority, but the government is also preparing rehabilitation and reconstruction scenarios.

"We are focused on emergency response. At the same time, we are also designing rehabilitation and reconstruction. The provision of temporary housing, the provision of permanent housing, infrastructure repair, and the social and economic recovery of the community," he stated.

Disasters in Sumatra reveal the vulnerability to floods, flash floods, and landslides in the affected areas. This vulnerability has increased in line with the occurrence of the climate crisis. Without the restoration of the Bukit Barisan ecosystem and decisive actions to penalize corporations that damage the environment, similar disasters in the future are merely a matter of time before they recur.