URGENCY OF CONSERVATION OF LAKE
TOBA AREA
By: Asrul Masir Harahap *)
Lake Toba is not only the pride of the North Sumatra but also the pride of the people of Indonesia because it is well known internationally as the largest lake No. 2 in the world after Lake Victoria-Canada as well as the beautiful panorama, and the world is a national asset that should be preserved. Lake Toba region is one of the rich ecosystems in North Sumatra. As an important area, sustainability is only possible if the management is based on a friendly approach to environmental management and integrated. Such an approach requires an understanding of the characteristics of the structure, function, and dynamics of the environment. The approach should be aimed at achieving a balance between the potential and the carrying capacity of natural resources, combined with social needs and accommodate the existing activities of life.
The complexity of the problems encountered in the management of Lake Toba region as well as the construction of a prolonged conflict in the surrounding area such as operating or not PT. IIU (PT TPL) in Toba Samosir, requires thought and the response by all stakeholders for the sustainable development of the region. Management and exploitation of the area of Lake Toba conducted so far have broad impact, especially the increasing number of critical areas, which in turn would threaten the future of Lake Toba. Critical land is an area that includes the catchment area (DTA) Lake Toba has now reached an area of 301 581 hectares, spread across North Tapanuli, Simalungun, Karo, Toba Samosir and Dairi. Details of the critical areas in each district are:
By: Asrul Masir Harahap *)
Lake Toba is not only the pride of the North Sumatra but also the pride of the people of Indonesia because it is well known internationally as the largest lake No. 2 in the world after Lake Victoria-Canada as well as the beautiful panorama, and the world is a national asset that should be preserved. Lake Toba region is one of the rich ecosystems in North Sumatra. As an important area, sustainability is only possible if the management is based on a friendly approach to environmental management and integrated. Such an approach requires an understanding of the characteristics of the structure, function, and dynamics of the environment. The approach should be aimed at achieving a balance between the potential and the carrying capacity of natural resources, combined with social needs and accommodate the existing activities of life.
The complexity of the problems encountered in the management of Lake Toba region as well as the construction of a prolonged conflict in the surrounding area such as operating or not PT. IIU (PT TPL) in Toba Samosir, requires thought and the response by all stakeholders for the sustainable development of the region. Management and exploitation of the area of Lake Toba conducted so far have broad impact, especially the increasing number of critical areas, which in turn would threaten the future of Lake Toba. Critical land is an area that includes the catchment area (DTA) Lake Toba has now reached an area of 301 581 hectares, spread across North Tapanuli, Simalungun, Karo, Toba Samosir and Dairi. Details of the critical areas in each district are:
|
No.
|
District
|
Broad of Critical Land (Ha)
|
Total of Sub-Districts
|
Total of Villages
|
|
1.
|
Tapanuli Utara
|
146.413
|
4
|
86
|
|
2.
|
Simalungun
|
10.804
|
5
|
23
|
|
3.
|
Karo
|
5.124
|
1
|
10
|
|
4.
|
Dairi
|
5.577
|
2
|
9
|
|
5.
|
Toba Samosir
|
133.663
|
12
|
256
|
|
|
Total
|
301.581
|
24
|
384
|
Sources: Provincial Office of Agriculture and Food Crops of North Sumatra, 2000
__________________________
*) Director of Agribusiness Development Center (PPA Consultants) North Sumatra Branch Office
Strategic Function
Lake Toba region as natural ecosystems provide four strategic functions of the basic human needs and economic development, especially for the surrounding area, namely: (1) support for the activities of life, (2) beauty with friendliness, (3) raw materials, (4) waste storage. Because it is from the perspective of bioekologi, sustainable area management requires four guides, namely (1) the spatial harmonic, (2) optimizing the use of natural resources, (3) control of pollution / contamination, and (4) minimizing the losses caused environmental impact.
Terms of aspects of hydrology, Lake Toba also serves as a dam flood control and damper. Lake Toba is a regulator of the flow of water, either rain water or water sourced from 122 watersheds in North Tapanuli and Toba Samosir, 17 watersheds in Simalungun, 4 watersheds in Karo and Dairi 7 watersheds in which empties into Lake Toba. In addition, survival depends Asahan hydro lake water discharge, which also affect the aluminum industry PT. Inalum and North Sumatra electricity supplied from the power plant.
In terms of environmental aesthetics, Pocono Lake Toba is a view of a beautiful landscape, with a combination of terrestrial and aquatic environmental component matching, so that this region is a potential for development, especially the tourism sector which is a major source of foreign exchange for the region of North Sumatra. But today, the community development activities and tend to damage and pollution as encroachment by PT. IIU and communities, farming on steep slopes, disposal of household waste and hotels, oil spills vessels and so on.
Given the highly complex functions, if the damage to the ecosystem of Lake Toba region continues and is not immediately controlled either by the public or the government, then in time will soon decline in environmental quality with the damaged and contaminated the environment, so it is no longer support functions as mentioned above. Therefore it is necessary conservation efforts in the area of environmental management of Lake Toba.
Conservation Strategy
Management of Lake Toba region for socio-economic development activities can lead to conflicts of interest between the activities of tourism, agriculture, industry, conservation, housing and so on. Generally business with high economic value such as plant IIU / TPL, hydropower, hospitality and others who dominate the development of the region is often ignored environmental impacts. Management of Lake Toba region is also dealing with social conflicts caused by no / not any land use planning and proper coordination between regions and between the parties concerned.
DTA region is Lake Toba in 5 (five) districts with vast wasteland, if not immediately addressed, it is feared will be able to threaten the sustainability of the lake and its surroundings. Therefore we need an integrated efforts aimed at environmental conservation and provide socio-economic benefits for the community and increase local government revenues related. These efforts, among others, through reforestation and land rehabilitation and soil and water conservation with agricultural crops, especially fruits, green plants and plantations are aimed to (a) maintain the environmental carrying capacity, and the environment, (b) maintaining water resources and sustainability functions, (c) restore and maintain soil fertility, (d) to attract private investment and public participation in the development of fruits, forest social / community or HTI, (e) produce quality fruit in sufficient quantities according to market demand, (f) encourage the development of agro-industry, (g) to support improved productivity and farmers' income, (h) expanding employment and job opportunities for the community, (i) increase the activity of tourism Lake Toba both natural and agro-tourism and (j) improve the environmental quality of the region of Lake Toba and balanced development that depend on it.
In creating and implementing integrated efforts, the participation of the widest communities should be developed and prioritized. In this respect the role and function of government is as a driver and facilitator in achieving the goals of these efforts. These programs and activities are directed in particular to the development and conservation of Lake Toba region should be done in an integrated and well-planned.
It is undeniable that the program development and conservation of Lake Toba region requires no small amount of funds, while government funding is very limited. It required a special effort to explore other sources of funding such as grants from international donor agencies are concerned about the preservation of the global environment in this case is the preservation of Lake Toba as one of the world's ecosystem assets. Besides the sources of financing for development and conservation of Lake Toba region that has been there all along that in fact derived from the exploitation of Lake Toba itself as Annual Fee PT. Inalum, taxes, levies etc.. should be optimized and returned designation solely for the development and sustainability of the Lake Toba. Furthermore, the implementation of these programs, coordination among agencies and between local governments primarily in the framework of local autonomy must be improved so that there will be no overlapping, attraction, repelling authority and responsibility in the management of the construction of the Lake Toba.
Epilog
Conservation of Lake Toba region should not should not be a concern and responsibility not just the government, the public and all stakeholders around him, but also the entire nation of Indonesia and the international community. Of course we all do not want Lake Toba will no longer be one of the pride of Indonesia and the international community lost from memory decline due to its shape because the water is reduced even dries and does not show the beautiful panorama again.
Lake Toba region as natural ecosystems provide four strategic functions of the basic human needs and economic development, especially for the surrounding area, namely: (1) support for the activities of life, (2) beauty with friendliness, (3) raw materials, (4) waste storage. Because it is from the perspective of bioekologi, sustainable area management requires four guides, namely (1) the spatial harmonic, (2) optimizing the use of natural resources, (3) control of pollution / contamination, and (4) minimizing the losses caused environmental impact.
Terms of aspects of hydrology, Lake Toba also serves as a dam flood control and damper. Lake Toba is a regulator of the flow of water, either rain water or water sourced from 122 watersheds in North Tapanuli and Toba Samosir, 17 watersheds in Simalungun, 4 watersheds in Karo and Dairi 7 watersheds in which empties into Lake Toba. In addition, survival depends Asahan hydro lake water discharge, which also affect the aluminum industry PT. Inalum and North Sumatra electricity supplied from the power plant.
In terms of environmental aesthetics, Pocono Lake Toba is a view of a beautiful landscape, with a combination of terrestrial and aquatic environmental component matching, so that this region is a potential for development, especially the tourism sector which is a major source of foreign exchange for the region of North Sumatra. But today, the community development activities and tend to damage and pollution as encroachment by PT. IIU and communities, farming on steep slopes, disposal of household waste and hotels, oil spills vessels and so on.
Given the highly complex functions, if the damage to the ecosystem of Lake Toba region continues and is not immediately controlled either by the public or the government, then in time will soon decline in environmental quality with the damaged and contaminated the environment, so it is no longer support functions as mentioned above. Therefore it is necessary conservation efforts in the area of environmental management of Lake Toba.
Conservation Strategy
Management of Lake Toba region for socio-economic development activities can lead to conflicts of interest between the activities of tourism, agriculture, industry, conservation, housing and so on. Generally business with high economic value such as plant IIU / TPL, hydropower, hospitality and others who dominate the development of the region is often ignored environmental impacts. Management of Lake Toba region is also dealing with social conflicts caused by no / not any land use planning and proper coordination between regions and between the parties concerned.
DTA region is Lake Toba in 5 (five) districts with vast wasteland, if not immediately addressed, it is feared will be able to threaten the sustainability of the lake and its surroundings. Therefore we need an integrated efforts aimed at environmental conservation and provide socio-economic benefits for the community and increase local government revenues related. These efforts, among others, through reforestation and land rehabilitation and soil and water conservation with agricultural crops, especially fruits, green plants and plantations are aimed to (a) maintain the environmental carrying capacity, and the environment, (b) maintaining water resources and sustainability functions, (c) restore and maintain soil fertility, (d) to attract private investment and public participation in the development of fruits, forest social / community or HTI, (e) produce quality fruit in sufficient quantities according to market demand, (f) encourage the development of agro-industry, (g) to support improved productivity and farmers' income, (h) expanding employment and job opportunities for the community, (i) increase the activity of tourism Lake Toba both natural and agro-tourism and (j) improve the environmental quality of the region of Lake Toba and balanced development that depend on it.
In creating and implementing integrated efforts, the participation of the widest communities should be developed and prioritized. In this respect the role and function of government is as a driver and facilitator in achieving the goals of these efforts. These programs and activities are directed in particular to the development and conservation of Lake Toba region should be done in an integrated and well-planned.
It is undeniable that the program development and conservation of Lake Toba region requires no small amount of funds, while government funding is very limited. It required a special effort to explore other sources of funding such as grants from international donor agencies are concerned about the preservation of the global environment in this case is the preservation of Lake Toba as one of the world's ecosystem assets. Besides the sources of financing for development and conservation of Lake Toba region that has been there all along that in fact derived from the exploitation of Lake Toba itself as Annual Fee PT. Inalum, taxes, levies etc.. should be optimized and returned designation solely for the development and sustainability of the Lake Toba. Furthermore, the implementation of these programs, coordination among agencies and between local governments primarily in the framework of local autonomy must be improved so that there will be no overlapping, attraction, repelling authority and responsibility in the management of the construction of the Lake Toba.
Epilog
Conservation of Lake Toba region should not should not be a concern and responsibility not just the government, the public and all stakeholders around him, but also the entire nation of Indonesia and the international community. Of course we all do not want Lake Toba will no longer be one of the pride of Indonesia and the international community lost from memory decline due to its shape because the water is reduced even dries and does not show the beautiful panorama again.
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