Analysis of environmental damage and environmental economic valuation on tropical rain forest destruction in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Tropical rain forests in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia have experienced environmental damage due to illegal logging. Illegal logging activities can effect to environmental damage as well as environmental economic losses. This study aimed to analyze soil and environmental damage as well as to assess economic loss of environmental damage due to illegal logging activities in tropical rain forests in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra Province Indonesia. The method of taking samples and analyzing environmental damage were conducted by purposive sampling. Data from laboratory tests of soil physical, chemical and biological properties were analyzed by statistical tests. The economic valuation method of environmental damage used the  Permen LH No. 13 year of 2011, Republic of  Indonesian. Illegal logging activities caused environmental damage in tropical rain forests (covering 45.65 ha). Illegal logging had a significant effects toward the bulk density increase, as well as  the C-organic decrease. In other hand Illegal logging had a significant effects on sand fraction, total microorganisms, and soil respiration. Based on the environmental economic valuation, the economic loss due to illegal logging on tropical rain forests amounting to IDR 319,799,679,000 ($ 22,842,834.21).