Despite climate crisis: Industry set to carve ‘Coal Road’ through Indonesian rainforest

International NGOs fought losing battle against the construction

In the heart of the Indonesian island Sumatra lies Hutan Harapan, which means “Forest of Hope”. For over 15 years, NABU has worked in concert with the local population, as well as partners on the national and international level, to protect and restore the approximately 100,000 hectare area. The forest serves as habitat for a breathtaking array of animal and plant species, and is also a carbon sink of global importance and the home of indigenous population groups. And nonetheless, it is threatened by enormous anthropogenic pressure, as the latest developments demonstrate.

Despite years of negotiations, the construction of a road for the transport of coal was approved by the government in 2019 and is now scheduled to begin in 2024. Nature conservation organisations and local indigenous communities fought tirelessly over many years to prevent the construction of the road, or at least to shift it into an area outside of Hutan Harapan. But in vain: In the end, no other option remained but to settle with the road construction companies, agreeing on compensation payments for the damage to the forest and additional necessary conservation measures for the remaining forest area.

Industry indifferent to habitat destruction as collateral damage

The road will be built through the southern part of Hutan Harapan, cutting off part of the forest and with it the habitat of many species from the rest of the forest area. Through this fragmentation, the number of wild animals hit by vehicles is expected to increase. The road also poses the danger of easier access for illegal activities such as logging and poaching within the project site, making the future conservation of the forest areas bordering the road particularly difficult.

While the road construction concern is legally obligated to carry out certain measures to mitigate the effects on surrounding areas, the project partners still anticipate significant risks for the sensitive ecosystem. In order to best counter these and protect the remaining valuable rainforest and its biodiversity, additional measures such as increased patrols through the area will be taken. With these countermeasures, the project partners also hope to preserve the homeland and livelihoods of the indigenous population and local communities.

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