Mengungkap Tambang Nikel Pencemar Lingkungan di Halmahera (PART 1) | Buka Mata

Summary

The transcript details the devastating flood in Weda Bay, Halmahera, Indonesia, in July 2024, which was considered the worst flood since 2020. It links the disaster to deforestation and nickel industry activities in the region. Forest Watch Indonesia's research shows a correlation between forest loss and increased flooding risk. The flood affected over 1,700 people, with villages near the IWIP nickel processing facility facing the worst damage. Despite claims from the company that the flood was caused by extreme rainfall and not their activities, the situation raises concerns about the long-term environmental impact of the nickel industry on local communities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The July 2024 flood in Weda Bay was the worst since 2020, causing severe damage, with many houses and vehicles swept away by the current.
• 😀 1,726 people were evacuated due to the flooding, and local activities were paralyzed for days, affecting residents and businesses alike.
• 😀 The flooding is suspected to be influenced by nickel industry activities, specifically the Indonesian Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP).
• 😀 Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) found a direct correlation between forest cover loss and the frequency of severe floods, with 15 major floods recorded since 2019.
• 😀 Data from 2016 to 2023 indicates that flood vulnerability in Weda Bay increased by approximately 3,000 hectares, with a significant rise in areas with high to very high flood risks.
• 😀 Areas near IWIP, such as Lokulamo village, experienced the worst flooding, with water levels higher than in other regions, possibly due to early deforestation.
• 😀 Deforestation in both upstream areas and settlements has been proven to increase disaster risks, particularly flooding.
• 😀 The Indonesian government's push for nickel downstreaming is a key factor in the local economy but raises concerns about its environmental consequences.
• 😀 Local residents are fighting to preserve the Sagea River, which has been severely affected by flooding and pollution, questioning whether future generations will enjoy its current state.
• 😀 IWIP denies responsibility for pollution and flooding, claiming their operations do not affect the Sagea River, based on routine water quality sampling showing results below standard thresholds.
• 😀 The Central Halmahera Environmental Service supports IWIP's position, attributing the murky water and major flooding to extreme weather, rather than industrial activity.

Q & A

What is the significance of the flooding in Weda Bay, according to the residents?

Residents of Weda Bay describe the flooding as the 'worst flood' since 2020, highlighting how it severely affected daily activities, destroyed homes and vehicles, and disrupted the local community for days.

What correlation did Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) find between forest cover and flooding in Weda Bay?

FWI found a significant correlation between the ratio of forest cover and the disaster index. The analysis suggested that areas with lower forest cover had higher disaster indices, making them more vulnerable to severe flooding.

How has deforestation impacted flood vulnerability in Weda Bay?

The deforestation in Weda Bay, particularly in areas around settlements and upstream, has increased the flood vulnerability. From 2016 to 2023, areas with medium to high flood vulnerability grew by approximately 3,000 hectares, and regions with high to very high flood risks expanded by around 1,300 hectares.

How did the expansion of the nickel industry relate to the flooding in Weda Bay?

The expansion of the nickel industry, particularly activities related to IWIP, has contributed to significant deforestation, which in turn increased the flood risk. Areas near the IWIP site, such as Lokulamo village, experienced more severe flooding due to the deforestation in surrounding regions.

What was the impact of the floods on villages near the IWIP nickel plant?

Villages near the IWIP plant, such as Lokulamo, experienced the worst flooding. These areas, being close to the plant, had higher flood levels compared to other villages, and they were among the first to experience deforestation.

What is the local community's stance on the environmental consequences of the nickel industry?

The local community, particularly those around the Sagea River, is concerned about the environmental impact of the nickel industry. They question whether future generations will be able to enjoy the river in its previous state, and they continue to fight for better attention from the government to address the environmental issues.

What was IWIP’s response regarding the pollution of the Sagea River and the floods?

IWIP denied any responsibility for the pollution of the Sagea River or the major floods in July 2024. They claimed that no activities had taken place along or around the river and that river water samples had consistently met quality standards.

How did the Central Halmahera Environmental Service respond to the murky water issue in 2023?

The Central Halmahera Environmental Service conducted a field verification of the murky Sagea River in 2023 and concluded that the water samples met the required quality standards. They attributed the murky water and major flooding to extreme weather conditions, not industrial activities.

What evidence suggests that extreme rainfall played a significant role in the flooding?

It was widely reported that the major flood in 2024 was caused by extreme rainfall, which led to the overflow of the Kobe River. This indicates that weather-related factors, rather than just deforestation or industrial activities, played a significant role in the flooding.

How does the government's focus on nickel downstreaming relate to the local environmental issues in Weda Bay?

The government’s push for nickel downstreaming, aimed at advancing the national economy, is seen as contributing to environmental degradation in Weda Bay. Local residents are concerned that this economic focus is prioritizing industrial growth over the well-being of the local environment and communities, especially considering the increasing flood risks.