Should Geothermal Energy Sites be Given the Go Ahead in Leuser National Park?

The Government of Aceh province has sought approval from the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister to give the go ahead for a geothermal project in Mount Leuser National park (https://news.mongabay.com/2016/09/indonesian-environment-ministry-shoots...).

However, the project has been denied on the grounds that creating a geothermal site would damage the rainforest further, harming the already critically endangered Sumatran elephants, orangutans, and rhinos. In making its decision, the Indonesian government faced considerable social pressure from conservationists, particularly following the citizen lawsuit filed by Acehnese activists and indigenous groups in 2013, in response to the Aceh government’s spatial plan which neglected Leuser National Park. Additionally, the cause has garnered celebrity attention, with Leonardo De Caprio signing the lawsuit. Indeed, the park and its endangered animals is not only under threat from the creation of a geothermal site, but already suffers from encroaching palm oil plantations, and illegal slash and burn practices (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3569263/How-human-greed-destroyi...). However, local authorities believe they have the right to develop the Leuser National Park as Aceh is a semi-autonomous region.

Given that there are no villages in the surrounding areas where the proposed geothermal project is to be built, and there are other geothermal site options in Aceh, it raises questions about the local government’s motives in wanting to develop part of Leuser National Park.

This is a contentious issue which spans beyond geothermal energy, and includes opinions and contending views about land ownership, economic development, and the potential underlying motives of the local government.