NGO Forum for the Environment (Walhi) Aceh released a variety of natural disasters that occurred in Aceh during 2017 at the Office of Walhi Aceh, Banda Aceh, Monday (8/1/2018).
Advocacy Division of Walhi Aceh, Muhammad Nasir said that the results of the calculation of his side there are 120 times natural and environmental disasters with estimated losses of Rp 1.50 trillion and casualties of 62,487 people.
"Of the 120 times of natural disasters and the environment, flood disasters occur most during 2017 which is 38 times with losses of approximately Rp 219.6 billion," said Muhammad Nasir in a press conference.
In addition to flooding, there are several other incidents that occurred in Aceh that is, abrasion 8 times with losses of Rp 47.9 billion, putting pickaxes 22 times with losses of Rp 6.6 billion, landslides 25 times with losses Rp 80.5 billion, and earthquakes 2 times.
(Read: Director of Walhi Aceh: People Create a Death Trap for Elephants because the Government Does not Do It)
In addition, there were two fires with a loss of 46.3 billion, pest attacks three times with losses of 21.8 billion, drought 14 times with losses of Rp 1.1 trillion, waste pollution three times with losses of Rp 2.2 billion, and three outbreaks of diseases with a loss of Rp 3.9 billion.
In terms of environment, said Nasir, during the middle of 2017 also found pollution from industrial activities such as cement plants, fertilizers, palm oil factories, to mining legal and illegal.
Similarly, national strategic projects that threaten the forest and land areas of citizens such as energy projects and toll roads.
"Development is important, but how the government can position the forest and land well," said Executive Director of Walhi Aceh, Muhammad Nur. (*)