Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has continued to optimize the utilization of driftwood generated by hydrometeorological disasters in North Aceh Regency and South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, in accordance with Minister of Forestry Decree No. 863 of 2025 on the Utilization of Driftwood Resulting from Flood Disasters as Material Resources for Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
In Langkahan Sub-district, North Aceh Regency, sorting and utilization of driftwood are being carried out with the support of 35 units of heavy equipment. These include 30 units from the Ministry of Forestry—comprising 14 grapple excavators, 11 bucket excavators, and five bulldozers—four units from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and one excavator from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR). The equipment is deployed to clear and sort driftwood from residential areas while gradually retrieving wood from river channels for potential use.
As of January 6, 2026, driftwood measured and declared suitable for utilization in North Aceh reached 454 logs, with a total volume of 730.95 cubic meters.
Head of the Gunung Leuser National Park Authority, Subhan, stated that the utilization process is conducted in an orderly and controlled manner to support community recovery efforts.
“With the support of heavy equipment, the sorting of driftwood can be carried out more quickly and safely. Usable timber is allocated to meet the urgent needs of affected residents,” Subhan said.
The driftwood is being used, among other purposes, to support the construction of temporary shelters developed based on research conducted by Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). To date, community groups and humanitarian organizations have utilized approximately 28.86 cubic meters of timber, with two temporary shelters currently under construction and one unit already completed.
Meanwhile, in Garoga, Huta Godang, and Aek Ngadol villages in South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, driftwood utilization is also being carried out extensively with the support of 20 units of heavy equipment and 10 dump trucks. Processed timber is used primarily to support evacuation needs and emergency response efforts.
Head of the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Novita Kusuma Wardani, emphasized that all driftwood utilization activities are conducted under strict supervision and in accordance with prevailing regulations.
“A total of 430 pieces of processed timber, with a volume of 6.95 cubic meters, have been used as flooring for 267 emergency tents. Inventory management and monitoring are continuously carried out to ensure proper and accountable use,” Novita explained.
The Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed that post-disaster driftwood utilization is implemented based on the principles of legality, transparency, and social benefit, while preventing uncontrolled exploitation in affected areas. (*)
