Young Tree Growth: Aceh, Sumatra

By Barrie | July 1st, 2007 | No Comments

Young mangroves, pines and coconut trees sprouting new leaves have breathed new life into the coastal lands of Aceh that were devastated by the 2004 tsunami. The young trees are evidence of the determination of local fishermen and farmers to rebuild their lives in the wake of the tragedy — a determination which is constantly tested by nature.

“High waves last month swept away some of the trees but we’ve replanted them again,” fisherman Syamsudin said proudly.

The 47-year-old from Krueng No village in Sampoiniet district, Aceh Jaya, is part of a 20-member group from the fishing village involved in the UN Food and Agriculture Organization forestry program, which is funded by the Finland government, to support early rehabilitation efforts in tsunami-affected countries.

Across Aceh, there are eight such groups in three regencies — Pidie Jaya, Aceh Jaya and Aceh Besar — selected based on several factors, including the extent of ecological damage done there, the rate of environmental decline and the level of community support.

Introduced mid 2005, the US$1,2 million project aims to restore and improve the livelihoods of the tsunami-affected population, which is dependent on forestry resources, by directly involving the coastal communities.

The project aims to replant 247 hectares of coastal strip by September this year.

The program’s stratagem is based on five factors considered crucial to the replanting process and the improvement of people’s livelihoods: direct investment into communities; the setting up of a partnership with coastal communities and other supporting institutions; the consideration of a variety of interests; ensuring mid- and long-term benefits and incentives for communities and proper supervision of projects to ensure they achieve their goals.

In Krueng No, home to 127 families, the replanting program was initiated in March this year, later than other groups, most of which started their programs in September last year.

“But the villagers here started replanting the coastal strip even before the project officially started. It’s nice to have a place to take shade from the scorching sun after going to the sea,” said the group’s leader, Ismail.

Under the program, the group received funds to replant the coastal strip along Aceh’s devastated west coast with hundreds of thousands of seedlings provided for the project.

Although the project is set to conclude in September this year, the coastal plants will require at least two years before they can survive on their own.

“We want this project to go on,” Ismail said. “But it’s not up to us to decide.”

The replanting and maintenance of the crops involve not only the group’s members but also other villagers, each receiving Rp 35,000 for a day’s work. The project involves tsunami survivors who have been left both poor and vulnerable as a result of the disaster.

Ismail said the project has helped the poor villagers earn money and regain their coastal forests.

The group itself has received three payments totaling Rp 281 million for the program and is still awaiting a further 20 percent of its allocation.

Syamsudin said the villagers all share the same dream: to have a better livelihood. The program has taught them many things, he said.

“I wish this kind of program goes longer and gets more support,” he said.

Project group members were also involved in discussions and educated not only on planting and maintaining coastal vegetation but also on business and marketing.

“We are stupid people, so it feels really good being taught to get smarter,” the father of six laughed, showing his tobacco-stained teeth.

Syamsudin said he found the project has important goals that are also shared by fishermen in the village. Chief among them, to bring back the coastal forests to better support their livelihoods.

“The main sources of our livelihood, such as crabs and shrimp, love to live in mangrove forests. Before the tsunami, there were plenty of them, but now they have no place to rest and to nest,” he said.

He recalled how prior to the tsunami children would head to the mangrove forests in search of crabs to sell for extra money.

“But now it’s really hard to get crabs. Even if there are any, there are not much,” Syamsudin said.

“By replanting the coastal strip, it’s not only about getting the project’s money. I want my grandchildren to remember and say that it’s their grandfather who planted these trees.” –

Stevie Emilia