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Orangutan Crisis: Indonesia Revokes 28 Firm Permits
23 Jan
Summary
- Indonesia revoked 28 company permits after floods hit orangutan habitat.
- Up to 11% of endangered Tapanuli orangutans perished in recent floods.
- Six companies sued for 4.8tn rupiah over alleged environmental damages.
Devastating floods and landslides in Indonesia's Batang Toru ecosystem in November 2024 led to the tragic loss of up to 11% of the world's Tapanuli orangutan population. In response to this ecological catastrophe, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced decisive actions to hold extractive companies accountable.
The government has revoked the permits of 28 companies operating in the area, halting their operations. This includes PT Agincourt Resources, which operates the Martabe goldmine, and PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy, involved in a hydropower project. Additionally, the environment ministry has sued six companies for 4.8tn rupiah, alleging their involvement in the extensive environmental damages across 2,500 hectares of the region's watersheds.
Conservationists hail these actions as a vital step, calling for permanent an end to deforestation and restoration efforts. The Tapanuli orangutan, found exclusively in this region, faces an extreme threat. While some scientists note that extreme rainfall primarily caused landslides in certain areas, the impact of mining and hydropower projects on the habitat remains a significant concern.
