Tsunami, conflicts and forestry in Aceh: A brief review

Post-Tsunami actions and conflicts resolutions have been the two main efforts in Aceh for the past two years. All aspects of public regulations have been targeted to the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts and to the redevelopment of government structure post-peace agreement (Helsinki MoU, 2005). Related to that, forestry issues in Aceh have as well become part of the discussions. Tsunami disaster destroyed all aspects of life, from settlements, infrastructure to lands and environments in the coastal areas. People who survived from the disaster are faced by not only the loss of their families and relatives but also the loss of their belongings and livelihood sources. Compared to many other parts of Sumatera, NAD Province had relatively larger intact forest cover. Many argue that this condition is suspected to be the results of the prolonging conflicts taking place in this province. What actually happened was that the prolonging conflicts caused lack of proper natural resource management. In its report of Preliminary Damage and Loss Assessment 2005, Bapenas stated that in Aceh the forest cover was as large as 2.3 million ha. BPS Aceh, 2003, as cited in the same report mentioned that the area of paddy rice field was 359.300 ha and the dryland agriculture was 1.2 milion ha. Paddy was the main irrigated agricultural produce, or 82% of the whole irrigated lands, while plantation was the main dryland produce (573,000 ha), 80% of which was small-holder plantations. The produces from plantation sector included coconut, coffee, tobacco, oil palm and rubber.

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