Aceh’s Leuser ecosystem must be included in Spatial Plan: Expert

Arif Gunawan Sulistiyono

Leuser Ecosystem, part of a UNESCO world heritage site which covers thousands hectares of protected forest in Aceh and North Sumatera must be included in the Aceh Spatial Plan regulation (Qanun RTRWA), the former Environment Minister Emil Salim has stated.

The esteemed professor at the University of Indonesia expressed his argument as the expert witness at the legal proceedings over Aceh government’s decision to exclude Leuser Ecosystem from the 2013 Qanun of Aceh on Spatial Planning.

“The Leuser Ecosystem is one of our National Strategic Areas and is regulated under the national law. Therefore, it must be included in Aceh Spatial Plan Qanun (RTRWA)”, Emil Salim said on Tuesday in Central Jakarta State Court, in which Aceh citizens—under the banner of GeRAM—sued the Home Minister, Aceh governor, and Aceh’s council.

The establishment of Leuser Ecosystem, he explained, dated back in 1920 when Acehnese leaders rejected the Dutch colonial government’s plan to convert the forest and open up mining and plantation companies.

“Thus, the abolition of the Leuser Ecosystem cannot be done spontaneously. The Leuser Ecosystem is one of world’s 25 most important and unique ecosystems,” said Emil.

Nurul Ikhsan, coordinator of GeRAM, said Aceh government has acted against the law by passing the Qanun without including Leuser ecosystem. “What the plaintiffs want is not any material gain, what we demand is only that the defendants accommodate the Leuser Ecosystem in the Aceh Spatial Plan.” (ags)