Head of the Mount Leuser National Park Office, Subhan, said on Tuesday that accelerating cleanup is a priority to restore public access and community activities, particularly in schools and residential areas.
“We are deploying maximum personnel and equipment to ensure the cleanup can be completed quickly. Our main focus is opening access, cleaning educational facilities and residents’ homes, and ensuring the environment is safe again,” he stated.
In Aceh Tamiang District, hundreds of personnel from government agencies and partner organizations have been mobilized to remove wood debris around Darul Mukhlisin Islamic Boarding School.
As of December 22, cleanup progress had reached 30 percent, with work continuing overnight.
The boys’ dormitory ground floor was 50 percent cleared, while another team worked on the girls’ dormitory. Wood removal was scheduled to begin on December 23.
In North Aceh District, joint teams are prioritizing the clearance of access roads to residential areas, with one kilometer already cleared.
Cleanup is also underway at Langkahan 12 Public Elementary School to restore teaching and learning activities.
In North Sumatra, Head of the province's Natural Resources Conservation Agency Novita Kusuma Wardani reported that cleanup operations are ongoing in the villages of Aek Ngadol, Garoga, and Huta Godang.
Teams are removing wood and mud from homes, road shoulders, and public facilities, while constructing ditches to contain liquid mud and prevent rainwater from re-entering cleaned houses.
Wardani said cleanup will continue in stages according to daily work plans.
“We ensure that cross-sector synergy continues. The Forestry Ministry is committed to being present on the ground until environmental conditions and community activities have fully recovered,” she emphasized.
Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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