Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry continues to accelerate the removal of disaster-related wood debris and residual materials caused by floods and landslides across several regions in Sumatra, through coordinated multi-stakeholder action.
The cleanup operations are carried out jointly by forestry technical units, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), local governments, private sector partners, volunteers, and local communities. The initiative aims to restore affected environments and public facilities while ensuring community safety.
In Aceh Tamiang and North Aceh, cleanup efforts are concentrated around Darul Mukhlisin Islamic Boarding School and the Langkahan area. Hundreds of personnel and dozens of heavy equipment units have been deployed to accelerate environmental recovery and reopen vital public access.
Head of the Gunung Leuser National Park Authority, Subhan, stated that operations are conducted intensively, including during nighttime hours. He explained that debris removal targets not only piles of wood, but also classrooms, places of worship, and essential community access routes. As of the latest update, cleanup progress at the boarding school complex has reached approximately 65 percent.
He added that teams from Manggala Agni, the national park authority, and conservation agencies are also cleaning mosque facilities and learning spaces, while disaster wood is measured and recorded before being transported to designated storage areas in accordance with regulations.
In North Sumatra, the Ministry of Forestry is actively supporting debris cleanup operations led by the regional government task force in Aek Ngadol, Garoga, and Huta Godang villages. The operations involve cross-sector participation, including security forces, local authorities, private partners, volunteers, and residents.
Head of the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Novita Kusuma Wardani, said the ministry’s role focuses on technical assistance, personnel deployment, and on-site guidance to ensure safe and orderly operations. She emphasized that strong inter-agency coordination is essential to restore residential areas, schools, and public facilities as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, forestry officers from technical units, Manggala Agni, and the provincial government have carried out cleanup operations along the Padang coastline. Between 20 and 25 December 2025, approximately 5.6 kilometers of beach area have been cleared of disaster debris.
Head of the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Hartono, explained that large logs were removed using heavy equipment, while smaller debris was cleared manually through community-based efforts. In fishing areas, the wood has been moved inland and arranged for community-based management.
The Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed that all cleanup activities are conducted in a coordinated, safe, and sustainable manner, while preparing mechanisms for managing disaster-generated wood debris in collaboration with local governments and relevant stakeholders. The effort reflects the government’s commitment to accelerating recovery and supporting the safe resumption of community activities in disaster-affected areas. (*)
