Since 2009, PT Dua Perkasa Lestari (PT DPL) obtained a location permit for oil palm plantations on 2,600 hectares of land located in Babahrot, Aceh Barat Daya.
The issuance of the permit adds to the long series of companies that want to make profits in the Leuser Ecosystem (KEL) in a way that is often destructive.
Massive companies that are clearing land for oil palm plantations in the region are increasingly unstoppable.
As if not deterrent. Although four companies have been convicted of fires on KEL peatlands which are national strategic areas, land clearing for oil palm plantations continues.
PT DPL is one of four companies that have been convicted by the court.
In 2014, PT DPL was submitted to a court by the Ministry of LHK because it was considered to be the party responsible for illegal burning on peat land covering an area of approximately 1,000 hectares in KEL.
The Aceh District Court also won a lawsuit filed by KLHK and stated that PT DPL was guilty and required to pay a fine. Meanwhile, PT DPL manager was sentenced to prison.
But this one company apparently did not give up. After the guilty verdict, PT DPL still carried out the destruction of peat land in Rawa Tripa.
Satellite analysis conducted by RAN identified that PT DPL continued to clear forests after a moratorium on the prohibition of plantations in the region was issued.
In the span of July to September 2016, the company conducted opening 1, 3, and 7 hectares of forest.
In November 2016, RAN conducted a field investigation in the PT DPL concession area and observed that the company carried out active forest clearance and excavated several peat drainage canals.
Satellite analysis shows that forest clearing and dredging canals around the PT DPL concession from 10 September to 7 December 2016 resulted in a total area of forest cleared of 79 hectares.
PT DPL's permit was also considered an administrative defect, because it stated that PT DPL's plantation activities included the Krueng Seumayam Village area, Kec. Babahrot, Abdya.
While PT DPL continues to operate its activities to date. I think environmental loving organizations around the world must immediately do something for this, before the forest in the mountains becomes flat with no trees.
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