Statement On Cyclone Senyar Damage in Batang Toru
Amanda Hurowitz, Senior Director at Mighty Earth, released the following statement regarding damage from Cyclone Senyar in Batang Toru, Sumatra, Indonesia:
“From the satellite imagery, it’s clear that thousands of hectares of forest have been lost as a result of these catastrophic storms, threatening both the communities that rely on them and the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutans that call this area home. We mourn the hundreds of lives lost, and hope that this tragedy sparks a sense of urgency to protect this fragile ecosystem of mountains, rivers, and forests. We commend the Indonesian government for suspending construction projects in the area. Any project, whether mining, hydro power or plantation agriculture, needs to remain on hold while a comprehensive plan is put together to protect this ecosystem and the people and wildlife that live there.”
Background
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.
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For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Sydney Jones, Press Secretary
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Alex Armstrong, Vice President of External Affairs
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About Mighty Earth
Mighty Earth is a global advocacy organization working to defend a living planet. Our goal is to protect half of Earth for Nature and secure a climate that allows life to flourish. We are obsessed with impact and aspire to be the most effective environmental advocacy organization in the world. Our team has achieved transformative change by persuading leading industries to dramatically reduce deforestation and climate pollution throughout their global supply chains in palm oil, rubber, and cocoa, while improving livelihoods for Indigenous and local communities across the tropics.
