News - Mangrove Aceh Tamiang Damaged Area

BANDA ACEH - Wahana Lingkungan Hidup (Walhi) Aceh sees damage to Mangrove coastal forest area in Aceh Tamiang already damaged 85 percent due to illegal activity.

Executive Director of Walhi Aceh, Muhammad Nur explains, the area of ​​Mangrove coastal forest in Aceh Tamiang area of ​​24,013.5 Hectare (Ha), divided from protected forest 109,24 Ha, and production forest of 18,904,26 Ha.

The investigation result of Walhi Aceh found 85% in damaged condition due to various illegal activities, Muhammad Nur said on Wednesday (7/3).

Said M Nur, geographically, Mangrove forest area is located in District Seuruway, Treasurer, Banda Mulia, and Manyak Payed.

WALHI Aceh found, inside the forest area Mangrove Aceh Tamiang illegal activities, such as encroachment and illegal logging. The encroachment was carried out for the opening of oil palm plantations and the construction of ponds. While the results of illegal logging serve as raw material of charcoal. Illegal logging activities are mostly financed by charcoal kitchen owners. where it currently reaches more than 200 units, and is generally suspected of having no license.

In addition to the impact of abrasion, continued M Nur, it also disturbs the balance of coastal ecosystems is the greatest impact, the severity of vegetation is left only the type of Mangrove fires.

In addition, the disruption of wildlife habitat such as Rangkong birds, rain birds, lychees, and several other animals are also threatened with such illegal activities.

Weak supervision and law enforcement are the main factors, such illegal activities continue to occur. Moreover, the public acknowledged government actors involved and have business dapaur charcoal at the location, explained Muhammad Nur.

Due to these findings, WALHI Aceh urged the Aceh Environment and Forestry Agency (DLHK) through the Forest Management Unit (KPH) III to undertake comprehensive control and rehabilitate the functioning of damaged areas.

In addition, continued M Nur, to law enforcement in this case Police Aceh Tamiang also asked to crack down on actors involved in illegal logging and illegal activities. As well as the Government of Aceh Tamiang and the Provincial Government is expected to be able to facilitate alternative economics to people who have been living dependent on these illegal activities.

Or it is also possible to facilitate the formation of Social Forestry to the surrounding community, ask M Nur.

In Indonesian :
Kawasan Hutan Mangrove Aceh Tamiang Rusak

BANDA ACEH - Wahana Lingkungan Hidup (Walhi) Aceh melihat kerusakan kawasan hutan pesisir Mangrove di Aceh Tamiang sudah rusak 85 persen akibat aktivitas ilegal.
Direktur Eksekutif Walhi Aceh, Muhammad Nur menjelaskan, luas kawasan hutan pesisir Mangrove di Aceh Tamiang seluas 24.013,5 Hektare (Ha), terbagi dari hutan lindung 109,24 Ha, dan hutan produksi seluas 18.904,26 Ha.
Hasil investigasi Walhi Aceh menemukan 85% dalam kondisi rusak akibat berbagai aktifitas ilegal, kata Muhammad Nur, Rabu (7/3) .
Kata M Nur, secara geografis, kawasan hutan Mangrove itu berada di Kecamatan Seuruway, Bendahara, Banda Mulia, serta Manyak Payed.
WALHI Aceh menemukan, di dalam kawasan hutan Mangrove Aceh Tamiang terjadi aktifitas ilegal, seperti perambahan dan ilegal logging. Perambahan dilakukan untuk pembukaan perkebunan kelapa sawit serta pembangunan tambak. Sedangkan hasil ilegal logging dijadikan sebagai bahan baku arang. Aktifitas ilegal logging ini sebagian besarnya dibiayai oleh pemilik dapur arang. dimana saat ini mencapai lebih 200 unit, dan secara umum diduga tidak memiliki izin.
Selain dampak abrasi, lanjut M Nur, hal ini juga menganggu keseimbangan ekosistem pesisir merupakan dampak terbesar, parahnya vegetasi yang tersisa hanya jenis Mangrove api-api.
Selain itu, juga terganggunya habitat satwa seperti burung Rangkong, burung cucur hujan, burung leci, dan beberapa jenis satwa lainnya juga ikut terancam dengan aktifitas ilegal tersebut.
Lemahnya pengawasan dan penegakan hukum menjadi faktor utama, aktifitas ilegal tersebut terus terjadi. Terlebih, masyarakat mengakui oknum pemerintah ikut terlibat dan memiliki usaha dapaur arang di lokasi, jelas Muhammad Nur.
Karena adanya temuan tersebut, WALHI Aceh mendesak Dinas Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (DLHK) Aceh melalui Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan (KPH) III untuk melakukan penertiban secara menyeluruh serta melakukan rehabilitasi fungsi kawasan yang rusak.
Selain itu, lanjut M Nur, kepada penegak hukum dalam hal ini Polres Aceh Tamiang juga diminta menindak aktor-aktor yang terlibat dalam aktifitas perambahan dan ilegal logging. Serta Pemerintah Aceh Tamiang dan Pemerintah Provinsi diharapkan untuk dapat memfasilitasi ekonomi alternatif kepada masyarakat yang selama ini bergantung hidup pada kegiatan ilegal tersebut.
Atau juga memungkinkan dilakukan dengan memfasilitasi pembentukan Perhutanan Sosial kepada masyarakat sekitar, pinta M Nur.
Sumber: AJNN