Dozens of residents of Bumi Raya and Wita Ponda sub-districts in Central Sulawesi staged a protest on Monday, May 5, 2025, opposing the planned construction of a raw water pipeline crossing the Karaopa River, which is intended for PT Indonesia Huabao Industrial Park (IHIP) and PT Bahusuo Taman Industri Investment Group (BTIIG), both operating in Bungku Barat, Morowali Regency.

The protesters, part of the Indonesian Farmers’ Movement for Justice (GAPIT), said the pipeline would disrupt the Karaopa River − an essential water source for over 2,100 hectares of rice fields supporting thousands of farming families.

“This project threatens the livelihood of farmers in 10 villages of Bumi Raya and three in Wita Ponda. The affected plots of land are vital for food production and community income,” Wandi, Campaign Manager of Central Sulawesi chapter of the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi), said in a statement obtained by Indonesia Business Post on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

He added that the pipeline project contradicts Morowali Regency Bylaw No. 7/2019 on spatial planning, which designates the area as agricultural land.

Walhi also criticized the long-standing environmental and social impacts of the IHIP and BTIIG industrial zones, citing air pollution from coal power plants, land grabbing, and criminalization of local residents.

“In the past three years, we’ve documented 10 criminalized individuals − five were sued for Rp14 billion in damages, and five othgers were reported for allegedly obstructing investment,” Wandi noted.

Central Sulawesi chapter of the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) also backed the protesters, emphasizing the legal and environmental concerns surrounding the pipeline.

“This protest at the BTIIG office reflects residents’ anxiety towards potential damage to agricultural areas,” Moh. Taufik, Director of Jatam Central Sulawesi, said. “The project must be seriously reconsidered by both the Morowali Regency and Central Sulawesi provincial administrations. It risks violating regional spatial plans and sacrificing farmland for industrial gain.”

Taufik stressed the importance of preserving the 1,578 hectares of farmland in Bumi Raya and 530.6 hectares in Wita Ponda. “Hundreds of families depend on these lands. We cannot afford to trade fertile fields for mining projects that benefit only a few,” he said.