Lake Singkarak flooded with logs: ecosystem and ecotourism at risk
Recent massive flooding carried huge quantities of timber into a lake that covers more than 100 square kilometres, threatening colonies of endemic bilih fish. The government is mapping the accumulations. Entire villages have disappeared, while evidence grows that the disaster is linked to illegal logging.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The surface of Lake Singkarak, a tourist icon in West Sumatra province, has been completely covered by logs swept away by a galodo, a flash flood from Solok Regency.
In the past few days, massive floods have carried large quantities of timber (branches, tree trunks) as well as mud and natural debris, which have piled up in the Nagari Muaro Pingai area.
The appearance of Lake Singkarak, whose surface tops 100 square kilometres, has changed drastically. The body of water, which usually offers splendid views and the opportunity for boating, is now inaccessible and paralysed.
Tourist operators and residents describe the situation as the worst seen in recent years.
Accumulated logs in Lake Singkarak pose a serious threat to the ecosystem, which includes the bilih fish, a local endemic species whose survival is already threatened by overfishing. Lake Singkarak is the only natural habitat for this highly valuable fish.
Wood debris can impede fish movement, reduce water quality, alter surface temperature, limit light penetration, increase organic load, and accelerate pollution.
If the problem is not addressed, bilih colonies could be in danger, especially during the breeding season.
The Solok Regency Government and the West Sumatra Provincial Government have sent teams to map the accumulation areas.
Lake Singkarak, with a surface area of 107.8 km², is not only a major tourist destination but also the heart of an ecosystem that is home to 19 species of freshwater fish: in addition to the bilih, the lake is home to the nilem, sasau, and gariang.
Initial measures have already been planned to address the situation.
The thick layer of logs on the surface has halted all activities, including the ecotourism sector, impacting water recreation, play areas, and even paragliding activities in Puncak Tanjung Alai. Boats are unable to operate due to the risk of getting stuck or damaged.
People planning to visit the lake have been forced to cancel their trips, affecting the business of boat owners, food stalls, guesthouses, and food vendors. Popular spots like the docks, lakeside areas, and viewing gazebos are temporarily unusable.
This is but one of the impacts on the area caused by flash floods in the three provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, stated that several villages have also disappeared, transformed into river channels.
The government is still verifying the information, while communications remain disrupted.
The logs were reportedly carried downstream by the sudden flooding of upstream areas in Solok Regency. The huge volume of water swept away various natural materials, eventually depositing them in Lake Singkarak.
The largest accumulation occurred around Nagari Muaro Pingai, forming what residents describe as a “sea of wood”. The latter believe this disaster is linked to damage to the watershed and a sign of uncontrolled illegal logging.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo reported the discovery of chainsaw marks on several logs. The police are now working with the Ministry of Forestry in a joint task force to trace the origin of the wood.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni plans to deploy AI-based automatic wood identification technology to determine the species and origin of the logs.
For his part, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol suspects that some of the timber comes from “zero-burn” clearing for oil palm plantations, where felled logs were left to be swept away when large-scale flooding occurs.
.png)
27/12/2006
