Indonesia Moves to Protect Batang Toru
Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq Suspends Operations of Companies Suspected of Deforestation That Drove Flooding in Storm-Ravaged Batang Toru, Setting Stage for Prabowo Administration’s Nature Restoration Initiative
On December 6, the Indonesian Ministry of Environment suspended operations of companies responsible for deforestation in the Batang Toru River Basin in North Sumatra. Citing the hundreds of lives lost and extensive damage caused by rainfall, landslides, and catastrophic flooding – worsened by local deforestation and irresponsible development – the government has announced that companies in the region must halt operations and will be subject to environmental audits.
The suspensions include two projects Mighty Earth and our local allies have been warning about for years, the North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NSHE) Batang Toru Dam and the expansion of PT Agincourt’s Martabe gold mine.
Glenn Hurowitz, CEO of Mighty Earth, praised the move and released the following statement:
“Our hearts are broken at the tragedy that has unfolded in the wake of Cyclone Senyar, and the people of Sumatra remain in our thoughts today. We are committed to working with Indonesia’s leaders to help protect and restore the country’s forests, which can serve as an important, protective buffer against such catastrophic flooding in the future.
“Indonesian Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq deserves thanks from around the world for taking decisive action to protect the Batang Toru ecosystem and local communities. Suspending the operations of companies driving deforestation is a vital step to avoid a repeat of this catastrophe.
“These law enforcement actions represent a crucial opportunity to restore the Batang Toru ecosystem, both to prevent the recurrence of devastating flash floods and to safeguard local communities.
“This work also has global significance: The Batang Toru ecosystem is home to the world’s only population of the Tapanuli orangutan, which has fewer than 800 individuals remaining. Mighty Earth has worked to support conservation of this landscape for many years. Deforestation in the area has fragmented the habitat of the species, including cutting off sub-populations that need to breed with each other to ensure the species’ survival The Tapanuli orangutan serves as a key indicator of the health of this ecosystem and its capacity to buffer surrounding communities from flood risks.
“The Prabowo administration now has a historic opportunity to place Batang Toru — and Indonesia as a whole — on a new trajectory for nature protection and restoration. We are very excited about the President’s goal of restoring forests.
“I am reminded that in the wake of the Aceh tsunami, peace emerged. Now can be a similar moment of renewal for Indonesia’s nature with all the benefits it brings.”
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Background
Indonesians up to and including the President are recognizing that the destruction caused by Cyclone Senyar is also the product of decades of deforestation – and calling for new accountability and legal action.
Indonesian Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the flooding and death “cannot be attributed solely to natural causes,” and told the Indonesian parliament that tens of thousands of acres of deforestation in Sumatra have created a far more deadly situation. He added, “Sumatra is a warning from nature. The climate crisis has surpassed the capacity of any single country, made worse by global unpreparedness.”
Prior to visiting the disaster zone, Indonesian President Prabowo recognized the role of deforestation and said, “[We must] really prevent the destruction of forests, and we must keep our rivers clean so they can channel water that may suddenly come.”
Further Reading
Batang Toru Dam
Mongabay: “Dam that threatens orangutan habitat is ‘wholly unnecessary’: Report” (January 2020)
Hydropower Dam lacks required permits: “MEMR: Batang Toru hydropower plant has not yet secured forest area permit” (4 December 2025)
Indonesia academic links deforestation to flooding: “From rising water to floods: Disentangling the production of flooding as a hazard in Sumatra, Indonesia” (January 2021)
Mighty Earth report: “Analysis of Electricity Demand in North Sumatra Province and the Planned Batang Toru Hydroelectric Power Plant’s Impacts” (January 2020)
“Body count rises to sixteen at controversial Batang Toru dam in Indonesia after tunnel collapses.” (August 2022)
Jakarta Post: “China’s big firms put reputation at risk in Batang Toru power plant” (February 2023)
Science: “Dam threatening world’s rarest great ape faces delays” (December 2020)
Martabe Gold Mine
Mongabay: “Indonesian gold mine expanding in ‘wrong direction’ into orangutan habitat” (March 2024)
Financial Times: “Norway wealth fund sells Jardine stake over Indonesia gold mine worries” (March 2024)
Mighty Earth: “Revealed: Newly-discovered orangutan species is ‘being driven to extinction’ by British firm’s goldmine” (September 2020)
