Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the world's lungs, located in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra. The 1,094,692 hectare forest extends across nine districts in Aceh Province and three districts in North Sumatra Province.
In Aceh Province, Leuser forests crossed from Subulussalam City, South Aceh, Singkil, Central Aceh, Southeast Aceh, Gayo Lues, Bener Meriah, and Aceh Tamiang. Meanwhile in North Sumatra Province, Leuser forest is included in the Dairi, Karo and Langkat areas.
Located in the Leuser forest in Ketambe, Aceh Tenggara, you can feel how fresh the air is. Located 3,404 meters above sea level, at some point the Leuser forest feels cool. The freshness of the surrounding air seems uninterrupted by vehicle traffic.
Since the opening of the causeway in the Leuser forest area, community access has become easier. In the past, road clearing had generated a polemic, because it was feared that it would become a way for illegal logging in the Leuser forest. Seeing the narrowness of the road and the number of sharp turns, it is impossible for medium vehicles (especially large ones) to cross the road, especially by transporting logs from illegal logging.
However, several environmental activists say illegal logging still occurs in the Leuser ecosystem. Illegal logging wood is not transported by road that is easily monitored, but is forded through river channels, as happened in Papua.
The existence of illegal logging can be seen from the many barren Leuser forests. Several aerial photographs from the mass media show the barren part of Leuser. Local journalists who reported the practice of illegal logging received threats and even burnt their houses.
In fact, preserving the Leuser ecosystem is the responsibility of all parties. The impact of forest destruction is more dangerous than the benefits of illegal logging for some irresponsible parties.
In the Leuser ecosystem, it is estimated that there are around 89 rare and protected species, including: orangutan sumatera (pongo pygmaeus abelii), badak sumatera (dicerorhinus sumatrensis), harimau sumatera (panthera tigris sumatrae), gajah sumatera (elephas maximus), beruang madu (helarctos malayanus), rangkong papan (buceros bicornis), ajag (cuon alpinus), and siamang (hylobates syndactylus).
When crossing the Leuser landscape, last June, I could hear the voices of the jungle dwellers in the cool breeze. So comfortable and fun.
Apart from animals, there are many rare plants in the Leuser ecosystem. So, it is our responsibility to protect the Leuser ecosystem. When we protect the forest, the forest and all living things will take care of us.[]
Photos by Bustami Ibrahim
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