Sulawesinese Women of Kaoem Muda: Witnessing the Threat of Environmental Destruction in Our Homeland

Oleh: Ulya Nur Fadilah

Sulawesi stands as a pivotal region within Indonesia’s natural resource management framework. The island chain boasts remarkable ecological wealth, encompassing dense tropical forests, fertile coastlines, and small island ecosystems that sustain local and indigenous communities. However, lurking beneath this abundance lies a profound ecological crisis, driven by the unchecked exploitation of natural resources. This crisis has been vividly articulated by the voices of KAoem MUda, particularly the women of Sulawesi, during an online discussion titled ‘Safeguarding the Earth, Safeguarding Living Space’, organised by KAoem MUda on Sunday, 15 June 2025.

Elsa, a young woman, member of KAoem MUda from Wawonii Island, recounted how nickel mining had transformed her village. “The community previously relied on the river for their daily needs, such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing,” she explained.

Since the advent of nickel mining, the river’s condition has deteriorated dramatically. The water has become turbid and polluted, rendering it unsuitable for consumption. Residents are compelled to seek alternative water sources, which are often difficult to access. “In the past, we could bathe, cook, and wash in the river. Now, the water is murky, muddy, and unusable,” Elsa lamented.

Furthermore, the sea, a crucial component of the local economy, is also contaminated. Fishermen’s catches have plummeted due to mining waste. The residents of Wawonii have lost two primary sources of livelihood: land and sea.

In Mosolo Village, a similar tale emerged. Mrs Royani lost approximately 300 clove trees without receiving adequate compensation. In Sukarela Jaya Village, Mrs Amalia’s coconut plantation suffered significant damage from mud inundation. “The coconuts used to thrive, but now they are slowly dying. Their roots have sunk into the soil, unable to breathe,” she noted.

In Sinaulu Jaya Village, the health implications are becoming apparent. Mothers and infants are experiencing skin irritations, believed to stem from the polluted water used for daily purposes. This situation demonstrates that mining not only devastates nature but also precipitates a tangible humanitarian crisis.

A similar scenario was described by Zulfa, a KAoem MUda woman from South Sulawesi. She highlighted the ecological crisis threatening Lake Towuti, Indonesia’s second-largest lake, now encircled by nine mining companies, including PT Vale Indonesia with a 70,566-hectare concession.

“The rivers that once provided water are now muddy and unusable. Rivers that once gave life now bring mud and threats,” Zulfa remarked.

Ironically, this unfolds amidst the government’s campaign for energy transition and the promotion of electric vehicles as a solution to the climate crisis. Yet, according to Zulfa, the reality on the ground reveals that people’s living spaces are being usurped by mining corporations. “Lake Towuti is not only a source of water but also a food hub and the centre of community life. Now, it is surrounded by mining concessions,” she asserted.

Zulfa also underscored the irony behind the narrative of electric vehicles as a climate solution. She explained that electric car batteries contain 48-60% lithium components derived from nickel. This implies that without nickel, electric cars would not exist. “But behind that, we witness new damage, particularly in the East Sea of South Sulawesi, which is now classified as a National Vital Object due to its role as a nickel supplier,” Zulfa stated.

Moreover, aerial monitoring conducted by her team has revealed startling facts, such as deforestation, land excavation, and mining roads cutting through forested areas. She cited the Tanamalia Block as a concrete example, an area across Lake Towuti that has served as a living space for communities and a vital ecosystem centre in eastern South Sulawesi.

The Threat of Reclamation Haunts Coastal Areas

From the coastal regions of North Manado, similar concerns emerge, echoed by a KAoem MUda representative named Natazia. This area is embroiled in agrarian and environmental conflicts involving local communities and the regional government. According to Natazia, the issue began in 2021 when the Governor of North Sulawesi allocated land to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy for the construction of an educational institution. Natazia asserts that this land had been cultivated by residents for over 30 years, serving as their livelihood, living space, and community identity.

“Farmers and residents opposed the development. Many are elderly farmers who have managed the land for more than 50 years. Losing the land means losing everything from livelihoods and heritage to the sustainability of life,” she stated.

In addition to the infrastructure development concerns, Natazia highlighted the reclamation plan, which is perceived to have detrimental effects on the environment, the community, and the future of the North Manado coastal area.

“The reclamation is planned for coastal areas adjacent to the Bunaken Island conservation area, renowned as one of Indonesia’s tourist icons and rich marine ecosystems. The community fears this reclamation will damage the marine ecosystem, cause environmental pollution, incite social conflicts among residents, and result in the loss of the last natural beach in North Manado,” she explained.

“If the reclamation proceeds, the impact is expected to be extensive. It could cause ecosystem damage, disrupt the marine food chain, trigger coastal flooding, lead to the loss of marine species such as sea turtles, and further marginalise coastal communities from their ancestral living space,” she added.

KAoem MUda’s Efforts to Protect Their Living Environment

Despite the pressure, they continue to resist in various ways to defend their living space from widespread exploitation. For instance, the community staged a symbolic protest by displaying a large banner on the shores of Lake Towuti to oppose PT Vale Indonesia’s mining concession in the Lumereo Mountains.

Beyond symbolism, the community actively engages in participatory monitoring. “The community directly supervises their area. They record, document, and mark damaged locations. This is what we call participatory monitoring,” Zulfa explained.

In response to the escalating crisis, KAoem MUda Perempuan advocates for strategic and comprehensive measures from various stakeholders. The government is urged to prioritise ecological and social justice principles in every development policy. A thorough review of mining and reclamation permits must be conducted, with independent and transparent environmental audits.

Moreover, communities need strengthening in advocacy, monitoring, and protection of land and water rights. They must also be included in decision-making processes related to spatial planning and natural resource management. Only then can the energy transition be genuinely equitable, rather than merely a façade for ecological degradation.

The Author is internee student of Kaoem Telapak