Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia has intensified efforts to manage driftwood and residual materials following hydrometeorological disasters across Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra since early December 2025. The integrated operation includes debris clearance, sorting, inventory, and controlled utilization of timber in coordination with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), National Police, local governments, and other stakeholders.
In Langkahan Sub-district, North Aceh Regency, joint teams deployed 28 units of heavy equipment to remove accumulated timber obstructing roads, residential areas, and educational facilities. As of the 16th day of operations on Monday (January 5), a total of 300 logs suitable for utilization had been recorded, with an estimated volume of 469.26 cubic meters.
Head of the Gunung Leuser National Park Authority, Subhan, said the response prioritizes areas that directly affect community activities.
“We are prioritizing the removal of timber blocking access to roads, settlements, and public facilities. Logs that still have economic value are carefully sorted and documented so they can be used in an orderly manner to support emergency needs,” Subhan said.
The utilization of recorded timber by communities and humanitarian organizations has supported the construction of temporary shelters. To date, two temporary housing units are under construction, while one unit has been completed.
In North Sumatra, post-disaster response efforts are focused on Garoga, Huta Godang, and Aek Ngadol villages in South Tapanuli Regency. Joint teams have deployed 20 units of heavy equipment and 10 dump trucks to support timber sorting, normalization of the Garoga River, residential cleanup, and environmental restoration. Several timber-sorting segments have reached full completion in accordance with the operational work map.
Head of the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Novita Kusuma Wardani, stated that the response is being carried out alongside preparations for housing for affected residents.
“Beyond debris clearance and timber sorting, we are also supporting land preparation for temporary and permanent housing. Recorded timber will be utilized for emergency community needs in line with prevailing regulations,” she explained.
Preliminary measurements in the Garoga area recorded 426 round logs with a total volume of 253.85 cubic meters, as well as 154 pieces of sawn timber amounting to 4.236 cubic meters.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, the Forestry Ministry—through its regional technical units in collaboration with Forest Management Units (KPH) and the Provincial Forestry Office—has conducted identification and data collection of driftwood along Padang Beach and the Batang Kuranji and Air Dingin river basins.
Head of the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Hartono, said comprehensive data collection is still underway.
“We are currently calculating the quantity and types of driftwood across several locations. These data will serve as the basis for utilization once the timber utilization team is formally established through a gubernatorial decree,” Hartono said.
The Ministry of Forestry affirmed that post-disaster response activities will continue with regular data updates to ensure that the utilization of residual disaster timber remains orderly, transparent, and directly beneficial to affected communities. (*)
