Sumatra

Ladia Galaska road network: construction continues, controversy rages

Down to Earth No 62 August 2004

NGOs have stepped up their campaign to halt construction of the Ladia Galaska road project which cuts through the Leuser Ecosystem in Aceh - one of world's richest areas of tropical rainforest.

Floods hit four districts in Aceh on May 7-8, in the western area downstream of the Ladia Galaska road project, leaving one person dead, sweeping away four houses and forcing thousands to leave their flooded homes.

In brief... DTE 60 - February 2004

Fatal chemical explosion, East Java

WALHI East Java has called for a halt to production and an investigation into PT Petrowidada following an explosion at the company's chemical plant on January 20 which resulted in two dead, 50 others severely injured, and dozens evacuated from the surrounding area. A joint investigation by WALHI East Java and other local groups has documented several past explosions.

Bukit Lawang: natural disaster or ecoterrorism?

Down to Earth No 59 November 2003

A flood in North Sumatra has killed at least 130 people. Indonesia's environment minister points to illegal logging, which, he says can be categorised as terrorism. "The consequences are just as dangerous as a bomb".

Over 130 people are known to have died after a flash flood swept through a North Sumatra village.The final death toll may well rise to over 200 as rescuers search for bodies in the mud and debris which covered a wide area. Six of the victims were foreigners.

Fatal disasters linked to deforestation

Down to Earth No 56 February 2003

Floods which have swept through Indragiri Hulu and Pelalawan have been blamed on deforestation in water catchments of the two districts in Riau. "So far, the rainfall is normal", the head of the local meteorology office told reporters. "Yet the rainfall, together with the…plundering of the forests in the province, has worsened the flood which was basically caused by the overflowing of the Kotopanjang reservoir in Kampar", he said.

Deforestation blamed for Nias tragedy

Down to Earth No 51 November 2001

Tens of people were killed and many more were still missing after floods and landslides hit the island of Nias, off North Sumatra's western coast, in late July and August. Years of forest destruction combined with recent high rainfall have been blamed for the tragedy.

The devastating floods and landslides, starting July 30th, swept away hundreds of houses, and destroyed five schools, three churches and two bridges.

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