Nani Farida, Banda Aceh – Aceh is not just about the bloody prolonged fighting between separatist rebels and the Indonesian Military, with all of the unrecorded brutalities and countless devastations of people and their lives.

A rich cultural trove, Aceh is also blessed with natural resources and rain forest stretching across its lands and hills.

However, political interests and human greed must just be put aside as Muhammad Ibrahim talks about saving his land, its fertile soil and all the God's creatures that call it home.

A giant highway project, called Ladia Galaska (an acronym for Lautan Hindia, Gayo, Luwes and Selat Malaka) is underway – penetrating into the pristine 100.2 square kilometer Gunung Leuser National Park and posing a threat to the provinces's endangered species.

The project kicked off in 2002 an in the second year of work has reached 10 kilometers of road construction from Lamsemol to Beutung Ateuh in North Aceh.

International groups and local environmental activists have stood up against the construction of the 500-kilometer road that would link the province from west to east.

The 32-year-old Muhammad, the executive director of the Aceh branch of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) has joined the protests against the highway. As a result, he has been targeted by some locals who support the construction and the military, which dominates Aceh since martial law was declared there.

"Some local figures sent a letter to the governor, asking him to take stern measures against Walhi and if he (the governor) failed to do so, they would take the law into their own hands," Muhammad told The Jakarta Post recently in Banda Aceh.

Now Muhammad regularly receives threats through telephone calls and letters.

"Our sole concern today is to save the forests in Aceh, particularly our protected forests," he said, brushing off any risks he might face because of his work.

Local environmental activist Bestari Raden was recently held by the military on charges that he had links with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Bestari, 50, was a member of a government-formed team charged with assessing the construction of the highway. He was detained when he was visiting the area to evaluate the feasibility of the project.

But that will not deter Muhammad, who was born in Sigli, Pidie regency.

He is married to Afrida Nurizki, 26, and they are the parents of 18-month-old Nabil Ramadhan Hamuda.

Muhammad went to school in Banda Aceh, about 112 kilometers from his hometown. In 1991, he went to Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh, majoring in agriculture. During his university years, he was an activist with the Islamic Student Association.

"I never wanted to be an environmentalist before," he said with a laugh.

He joined Walhi in 1998 at the invitation of a friend. When he first joined the organization, he was appointed head of the campaign division. His interest and passion in environmental issues has grown ever since.

Muhammad soon became frustrated by the by residents and government officials lack of concern over environmental issues.

"People here have only begun to become aware of the importance of taking good care of the environment following recent flooding. Unfortunately, local government officials prefer to help the victims rather than preventing the floods," he said.

Aceh is home to quite a vast forest area. However, because of unchecked logging, floods and landslides occur frequently. In 2003 alone, Aceh suffered 128 natural disasters.

Today, some 25 percent of the forest in Aceh has been damaged, mostly because of illegal logging and the activities of forest concessionaires.

That is why Muhammad and Walhi are doing everything within their power to protest the construction of Ladia Galaska, because the road, if completed, would pierce the heart of the protected forest.

Muhammad sees the project as being very dangerous. Aside from the fact that the slope of the land is over 45 degrees, the highway would travel through a protected forest that is home to elephants, tigers and rhinos.

"Basically, this road construction project is good. Our protest concerns only part of the plan that goes through a protected forest as it will be harmful to the Acehnese," he said.

If the government insists on constructing the highway through the national park, it is feared the road will only benefit logging bosses and their destructive illegal logging activities.

As an environmentalist, Muhammad has also dealt with problems related to the operations of Exxon Mobil in Lhokseumawe.

"Until now I remain convinced that Exxon Mobil should be held responsible for human rights violation in Aceh, either directly or otherwise. They have provided the facilities for the military," he noted.

To activists in Aceh, Muhammad is held up an example of a selfless crusader for good. When a military emergency status was enacted in Aceh and political activists were compelled to leave the province, Muhammad remained in Aceh.

If he remains and continues his protests, it is not only because Aceh is his home, but also because he values his calling to save the land.

"It is possible for me to remain here perhaps because I deal with environmental issues. Although, in this case, I often have to face high-ranking government officials," he said.

A friend of Muhammad's, lawyer Rufriadi, commented: "He is courageous and is highly consistent in taking good care of the environment even though that is not an easy job in Aceh."