News Media and Web Journalism Task 2

FOREST DAMAGE CAUSES TRIBAL PEOPLE'S STARVATION

Pustaka Sari

2211412053

Forest damage happening in Sumatra, Indonesia since the 1980s causes some troubles for the society. Recently, the most highlighted issue coming from this is the hunger of Anak Rimba children. It has been reported that four of those children are having malnutrition due to the lack of food.

Those children were sent to the nearest medical treatment in Batanghari in order to get the fastest help from the doctor. Two of those children, Besikap and Sebilau, were the ones getting the treatment. Meanwhile, Cipak and Merute, came after those two got their treatment. It had been said that they were lack of food, water, and medicine, which had weakened their bodies and led them to the starvation.

The tribal group leader, Mangku Terap, reported that there were the other seven children having the same symptoms, but they were unable to be admitted to the nearest medical treatment. He said that those children were having high fever that made the elders decided to bring them to the nearest medical treatment.

Kristiawan, The Warsi Indonesian Conservation Community (KKI Warsi) unit coordinator, said that they were belonged to the members of the Temenggung Marituha group from Bukit Dua Belas National Park (TNBD). He also reported how the tribal group members nowadays were having starvation due to the lack of food source.

Having lack of food sources and clean water sources are being the tribal groups’ problem. They have to travel a long distance in order to get the proper sources. This problem is caused by the pollution coming from the industries. The group leader stated how they need the attention from the government to put an end for their food starvation caused by the forest damage.