The Batang Toru hydro power plant (PLTA) project in North Sumatra is giving rise to serious environmental issues. Land clearance for the 510 megawatt-capacity plant is threatening the existence of some 800 Tapanuli orangutan. To circumvent major damage, the project’s environmental impact analysis needs to be expediently revised.

Orangutan at Batang Toru should be protected for being a rare species. After years of research, scientists have