Environmental Degradation
The Desa Nagasaribu region in Lintong Nihuta was previously mined for fuel by locals to supply a local pulp and paper mill, Indorayon or Toba Pulp Lestari, in 1996. This process involved draining the area, which is still evident as water continues to flow out from the drain. While mining has been halted due to local government regulations introduced in 2013, the area has not been rehabilitated. Locals continue to collect wood from the area, which they use for making charcoal via open fire burning. A study from USU indicated that this practice of using peat as fuel and open-burning it contributes significantly to pollution.
Several problems have arisen from this drainage:
- It has exposed peats to oxidation and subsidence, leading to substantial CO2 emissions.
- The water supply to local traditional paddy fields has been reduced, causing some farmers to experience drying out of their fields source.
- Biodiversity loss has been reported.
- The practice of open fire burning to make charcoal from collected wood contributes to air pollution source.
- The dry peatland condition poses a significant fire hazard source.