Batang Toru, 9 August 2024 — PT Agincourt Resources, the operator of the Martabe Gold Mine, has expanded the lubuk larangan Satahi in the Garoga River, Batang Toru, by spreading 3,500 jurung fish seeds and 300 kilograms of goldfish in the latest zone of Batu Hula Village. The initiative, which already covering five villages in Batang Toru, is designed to enhance environmental sustainability, strengthen the local economy, and support the social welfare of the local community.
General Manager Operations & Deputy Director Operations at PT Agincourt Resources, Rahmat Lubis, said the expansion of the lubuk larangan zone is part of the Company’s long-term commitment to environmental protection and maintaining the habitat of flora and fauna species, including rare and endangered species.
Lubuk larangan is a specific area in the river where the habitat should not be disturbed, and fishing is prohibited for a certain period based on community agreement.
“This initiative aims to ensure the long-term health of ecosystems that are important for ecological balance and climate change mitigation. We expect that this initiative can create a sustainable, positive impact on the environment, society, and the local economy,” said Rahmat.
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Until now, the lubuk larangan Satahi developed by PTAR are in five villages: Garoga, Batu Horing, Aek Ngadol, Sumuran, and Batu Hula. This year, PTAR plans to expand the lubuk larangan to one more village in Batangtoru Subdistrict. Therefore, by the end of 2024, PTAR will have developed prohibition areas in six villages.
PTAR is committed to involving local communities in all stages of program implementation to ensure that communities benefit from the expansion of the lubuk larangan zone. One aspect of community engagement is preparing village regulations on lubuk larangan, which include sanctions for anyone fishing in the lubuk larangan zone.
The Manager of Community Relations at PT Agincourt Resources, Masdar Muda, mentioned that through collaboration with the local community and government, PTAR provides resources and technical support. One of these resources is providing seeds. Additionally, the company helps to ensure the success of the program, which will ultimately have a positive impact on the economy and environmental welfare of the local community.
“Lubuk larangan has even formed a local wisdom. This can be seen in how the community views the natural environment where they live. They work together to preserve the river and remind each other not to pollute the river,” said Masdar.
The first lubuk larangan developed by PTAR were in Garoga and Batu Horing River. Then, in September 2023, they expanded the lubuk larangan zone to Aek Ngadol River and Garoga River in Sumuran Village by releasing tens of thousands of jurung and goldfish seeds. In August 2024, PTAR further expanded the lubuk larangan zone to the Garoga River in Batu Hula Village.
Lubuk larangan and jurung fish breeding as an endemic species of South Tapanuli is one of PTAR’s biodiversity and conservation programs. In addition, PTAR actively organizes tree-planting actions with the community on the banks of the Garoga River. This environmental conservation effort is expected to mitigate river flow damage and abrasion in Garoga Village and its surroundings, as well as reduce the risk of Garoga River overflow and climate change.
After releasing tens of thousands of jurung fish and goldfish to Garoga River in Batu Hula Village, the Head of The Fisheries Service of South Tapanuli Saiful AP Nasution asked the community to protect the environment conservation.
Read Also: Supported by PTAR, Garoga Village Opens “Lubuk Larangan”
“We are grateful for Agincourt Resources’ commitment to preserving the river and the jurung fish as local resources. The community will benefit when the lubuk larangan is opened,” Saiful said.
The Garoga Village community, which previously had a lubuk larangan has harvested the benefit. In the last mid of April, in the opening of the lubuk larangan, which typically happens every six months, Garoga Village made Rp25 million from ticket sales. The village plans to put this money into savings to purchase an ambulance.
