Name: Sumatra landslide survivors criticize deforestation, monoculture
Uploaded: 2025-12-07T15:24:04.808Z
Duration: 2 min 2 s
Description: Survivors are blaming more than just heavy rain for the catastrophic landslides. They’re blaming deforestation and the rapid expansion of monoculture plantations for turning their mountains into ticking time bombs.

Survivors are blaming more than just heavy rain for the catastrophic landslides. They’re blaming deforestation and the rapid expansion of monoculture plantations for turning their mountains into ticking time bombs.

Sumatra

Landslides in Lobu Pinning village, North Sumatra, have resulted in hundreds of deaths and the destruction of thousands of homes. Survivors, including Tumiar Sitinjak, attribute the disaster to deforestation and the replacement of natural forests with monoculture plantations such as palm oil and eucalyptus.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the role of deforestation in the catastrophe, while immediate efforts focus on clearing roads to deliver aid to isolated villages. Residents emphasize the need to address deforestation to prevent future disasters, as many are forced to walk long distances for basic necessities.

Sumatra landslide survivors criticize deforestation, monoculture

This is what Lobu Pinning village in North Sumatra looks like after it was hit by landslides that killed hundreds and destroyed thousands of homes. One of the survivors, Tumiar Sitinjak, lost everything. She believes deforestation was the main cause for the catastrophe, and she's not the only one. I think this landslide happened because of the new forest plantations, and I don't agree with that. It's clear that monoculture plantations harm the community. They should be banned because they benefit only a few people while hurting many others. Don't replace our forest just because it brings in a lot of money while ignoring the community's future. According to recent data, parts of North Sumatra's forests have now been replaced with monocultures like palm oil and eucalyptus plantations. Locals have never seen anything like this. And if this is caused by deforestation, the pressure is now on for the government to get to the bottom of it. An investigation of massive deforestation on the island is underway. But for now, the priority is still on helping the victims by clearing roadways so critical aid can get through to survivors in isolated villages. Hopefully the weather continues to work in our favor. Please pray for us. To clear the road in this area, we estimate it will take a few more days. These people from isolated villages must walk kilometers barefoot just to get food to survive. And tackling deforestation is one way to prevent this from ever happening again.

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