Jakarta, Dec. 1 -- Indonesia's Environment Ministry (KLH) will collaborate with universities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra to study the environmental carrying capacity and assess the operations of companies in flood-affected areas.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq acknowledged significant changes in the landscape following floods and landslides in Sumatra, including areas near hydroelectric power plants and gold mines.

"I have instructed the Deputy for Environmental Management to contact university colleagues in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh to immediately conduct a study," Nurofiq said in Jakarta on Monday.

KLH already has cooperation agreements with several universities in the region. The academic study wi...