THE FINAL CUT
Illegal Logging in Indonesia's Orangutan Parks
Introduction  
Indonesia's Forests  
Forest Reform  
Tanjung Puting  
Gunung Leuser  
  • History
    		•  
  • Problems
    		•  
  • Aceh Province
    		•  
  • Illegal Logging
    		•  
  • Tripa Swamp
    		•  
  • Singkil Swamp
    		•  
  • Kluet Swamp
    		•  
  • Community Action
    • Conclusions  
    Recommendations  
    Gunung Leuser National Park - Successful Community action against PT MRT


    The problem of illegal logging in the swamp areas is symptomatic of the abuse that the forests in the Leuser ecosystem have endured for many years. This fragile ecosystem is surrounded by 13 separate logging concession companies, some of which have recently ceased operations. A number of these companies have broken the regulations governing forestry practices within their concessions.

    One such case was PT Medan Remaja Timber (PT MRT) which ran a concession bordering the Kluet swamp. Workers from this company were found logging within the National Park by investigators from YLL who also found an oil palm plantation and a sawmill within the concession area. Both these activities are illegal. Additionally, timber was being cut near water sources and on slopes with steep gradients.

    YLL has provided detailed reports to the authorities on the illegal activities of PT MRT since 1996, and enlisted the support of local communities hit by PT MRT's flagrant disregard for the law. Communities downstream of the concession area endured serious hardships, believed to be due to PT MRT's illegal operations. A flood that destroyed a school building in the village of Kandang was blamed on PT MRT. Farmers suffered from irrigation problems, and a logging road was built straight through a village's crops without talking to the villagers. These arrogant actions by the company sparked local protests, which escalated into company buildings being burned, a logging road being blocked and the seizure of a bulldozer.

    A local community leader took the evidence and grievances to Jakarta and successfully lobbied the Ministry of Forestry to close this concession down. The company is appealing against the closure with the support of the chief of the Forest Department in Aceh Province - the only authority that opposed the closure despite the evidence.

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