From Gayo to the Ocean: A Journey Through Sumatra’s Last Great Forest

LEUSER NEWS

- Redaksi

Senin, 23 Juni 2025 - 02:58 WIB

50154 views
facebook twitter whatsapp telegram line copy

URL berhasil dicopy

facebook icon twitter icon whatsapp icon telegram icon line icon copy

URL berhasil dicopy

Aceh, Indonesia – Deep in the northern tip of Sumatra lies one of the last intact tropical rainforests on Earth: the Leuser Ecosystem. This vast and biodiverse region is often referred to as the “lungs of Southeast Asia,” not just for its ecological significance, but also for its breathtaking natural beauty. Cutting through this green expanse is a powerful river—one that begins in the highlands of Gayo and winds its way through the jungle, ultimately pouring into the Indian Ocean.

This river, unnamed in most travel brochures, is a lifeline for both nature and the people who call this forest home.

The River Route Through Leuser

The journey starts in Muara Situlen, a remote village in Babul Makmur Subdistrict, Aceh Tenggara Regency. From here, the river carves its way through the dense forest, passing through Gayo Lues, Aceh Tenggara, Subulussalam City, and finally Aceh Singkil, where it meets the sea. The full trip to the ocean takes around nine hours by motorized boat.

ADVERTISEMENT

Leuser News - Dari Leuser, Untuk Negeri

SCROLL TO RESUME CONTENT

Along the way, the river slices through the heart of the Leuser rainforest. It flows past the Ketambe Research Station in Aceh Tenggara, a world-renowned site for studying the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan. Here, the river serves not just as a water source but also as a border—dividing conservation forests from protected zones.

“Once we entered the forest, everything changed—the air was cooler, the sounds were wild, and the peace was overwhelming,” said Yulham, a local resident who once made the journey. “The river is wide and strong, and the forest on both sides is thick and untouched. It’s an unforgettable experience.”

Natural Beauty Meets Human Resilience

On both banks of the river, life pulses in harmony with the forest. Villagers fish, transport goods, and travel using the river as their main access point. In many areas, steep cliffs, giant boulders, and towering trees give the river a dramatic, almost cinematic character. It is both beautiful and dangerous.

One of the major stops along this water route is the Soraya Research Station, nestled in the protected Soraya Forest—also part of the Leuser Ecosystem. From Muara Situlen, it takes about four hours to reach Soraya, and another five hours to get to the bustling river market at Gelombang, Subulussalam.

Beyond the stunning visuals, the river carries stories of survival and resistance. Illegal logging, poaching, and destructive fishing practices have all left scars along the river’s course. In response, the government and local communities have started initiatives to protect the forest. In April 2021, the Aceh Province’s Forestry Management Unit (KPH) established a forest monitoring post on the riverbanks.

“This post is essential to prevent illegal activities in forest areas adjacent to the Leuser National Park,” said Irwandi, head of KPH Region VI.

A Future Built on Conservation and Ecotourism

For villages like Pasir Belo, which lies along the river in Sultan Daulat Subdistrict, there is a growing awareness that conservation is not just an environmental necessity—it’s also an economic opportunity.

“We’re preparing our community to develop ecotourism around this river,” said Anwar, the village head. “Our forest borders North Sumatra Province and includes part of the Leuser protected area. The natural beauty here is a gift we must share responsibly.”

The Leuser Ecosystem is home to some of the world’s most endangered species, including the Sumatran tiger, elephant, rhino, and orangutan. Rivers like this one are more than geographic features; they are lifelines for biodiversity, cultural heritage, and the future of sustainable livelihoods in Aceh.

In the end, the journey from Gayo to the sea is not just a physical one. It is a passage through time, nature, and the urgent question of whether humanity can learn to live with the forest instead of against it.

Berita Terkait

Skandal Pemilihan Urang Tue di Pulo Gelima Tripe Jaya: Dugaan Manipulasi Data, Surat Domisili Palsu, dan Nepotisme, Warga Tuntut Pembatalan Hasil
Gubernur Aceh Dilangkahi, Ekskavator PT GMR Terus Bekerja di Hutan Lindung Bukit Tengkereng
Operasi Gabungan di Agusen Dipimpin AKBP Hyrowo, Targetkan Ladang Ganja Skala Besar di TNGL
INVESTIGATIVE EDITORIAL | PT Gayo Mineral Resources in Gayo Lues: Trampling the Law on Protected Forest Land
EDITORIAL | PT Gayo Mineral Resources di Gayo Lues: Menginjak Hukum di Atas Tanah Hutan Lindung
Silent Contamination: How a Gold Exploration Project Threatens the Heart of Leuser Forest
The Gayo Lues Gold Mining Scandal: When Maps Are Twisted, Laws Ignored, and Leuser Sacrificed
Mining Enters Protected Forest: PT GMR Accused of Encroaching on State Conservation Land

Berita Terkait

Jumat, 10 Oktober 2025 - 19:40 WIB

PW GPA DKI : Kebijakan Kakorlantas Patut Di Acungi Jempol Berani dan Berhasil Menghapus “Tot Tot Wuk Wuk” di Jalanan

Minggu, 5 Oktober 2025 - 21:58 WIB

Publik Apresiasi kepada Panglima TNI di Momen HUT TNI ke-80 Tahun di Monas

Senin, 15 September 2025 - 01:03 WIB

Komisi III DPR Desak Sanksi untuk Kompol DK

Kamis, 11 September 2025 - 14:03 WIB

Budi Arie Tetap Follow Istagram Prabowo, Kami mengajak semua pihak untuk tidak Terjebak Dalam Polarisasi Sempit dan Narasi Yang Memecah Belah

Selasa, 9 September 2025 - 11:57 WIB

PW GPA DKI: Stop Isu Hoaks yang Menuding Prajurit TNI Sebagai Provokator Aksi Unjuk Rasa

Kamis, 21 Agustus 2025 - 15:48 WIB

Merdeka untuk Sehat, Anak Sekolah Kini Punya Hak Sama atas Akses Kesehatan Gratis

Senin, 18 Agustus 2025 - 12:42 WIB

2. PW GPA DKI JAKARTA : Angkat Topi Pada Kakorlantas Polri Turun Langsung Dalam Pengamanan Lalu Lintas Pada HUT RI

Sabtu, 9 Agustus 2025 - 19:07 WIB

Rutan Kelas I Medan Pamerkan Karya Kreatif Warga Binaan di IPPAFest ke 2 Tahun 2025

Berita Terbaru