Enviro News Asia, Aceh — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry continues to intensify the utilization of driftwood generated by hydrometeorological disasters in North Aceh and North Sumatra to support environmental recovery and the construction of temporary shelters for affected communities.
In Langkahan Sub-district, North Aceh Regency, 87 Ministry of Forestry personnel were deployed with the support of 38 units of heavy equipment. These included 30 units operated by the Ministry of Forestry, seven units from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), as well as one excavator and one dump truck provided by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR). Operations focused on sorting driftwood directly in residential areas to enable immediate utilization.
Head of the Gunung Leuser National Park Authority, Subhan, stated that as of January 8, 2026, joint measurements conducted by the Forest Area Utilization Center (BPHL) and the Aceh Provincial Environment and Forestry Agency recorded 769 driftwood logs suitable for use, with a total volume of 1,260.49 cubic meters.
“The driftwood is directly allocated to support the construction of temporary shelters and community recovery needs,” Subhan said.
In North Aceh, the driftwood has been utilized by humanitarian organization Rumah Zakat for the construction of nine temporary shelters, with eight units currently under development and one unit completed. In parallel, 54 Ministry of Forestry personnel and members of the Saka Wanabakti carried out clean-up activities at educational facilities, including five rooms at SDN 14 Langkahan.
Meanwhile, in North Sumatra, Head of the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Novita Kusuma Wardani, explained that driftwood handling in Garoga, Huta Godang, and Aek Ngadol villages is being conducted gradually and in a controlled manner.
“Driftwood sorting is nearing completion and is fully directed toward materials for temporary shelter construction,” Novita said.
As of January 8, 2026, driftwood sorting in Garoga I, Garoga II, and Garoga III had reached 100 percent completion, while the Garoga–Huta Godang–Aek Ngadol corridor reached 80 percent. Processed timber output on that day totaled 228 pieces with a volume of 3.1560 cubic meters, bringing cumulative production to 793 pieces with a total volume of 12.0035 cubic meters. The timber is designated for temporary shelter construction in Batu Hula Village, Batang Toru Sub-district.
Beyond timber utilization, the Ministry of Forestry is also conducting environmental arrangement and land clearing for planned temporary and permanent housing at the PTPN IV Aek Pining area. The planned development area covers 15 hectares, with approximately 1.028 hectares cleared to date. (*)
