Deforestation in Indonesia increased for a third consecutive year in 2024, according to research by a local environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO) cited in a report by The Jakarta Post.
According to Auriga Nusantara’s report, which used satellite imagery and field work, 261,575ha of primary and secondary forests were lost across Indonesia in 2024, over 4,000ha more than in the previous year.
However, a governmental official disputed the findings of the report, saying they misinterpreted deforestation in the country, the Jakarta Post wrote on 1 February.
According to Auriga Nusantara, most deforestation took place in areas opened for development by the government.
“It is worrying, as it shows the increase in legal deforestation,” Auriga Nusantara chair Timer Manurung was quoted as saying.
Manurung said there was an “urgent” need to protect forest in Sulawesi and also in Kalimantan, where the new capital was being built and the highest losses were recorded.
Ade Tri Ajikusumah, a senior official at Indonesia’s environment and forestry ministry, was quoted as saying the deforestation figure did not take replanting into account.
Although acknowledging government figures for “gross” deforestation in 2024 were not “significantly different” from Auriga Nusantara’s report, he said the NGO had not accounted for reforestation of more than 40,000ha.
He also explained that development around Indonesia’s new capital involved land that had already been released from “forest status”.
“These areas were previously managed by companies under existing permits. So, it’s not deforestation – it was already designated for development,” Ajikusumah said.
Against this backdrop, Indonesian environmentalists had raised concerns over government plans to convert millions of hectares of forests for food and energy use, The Jakarta Post wrote.
On assuming office in October 2024, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had pledged to expand production of bio-based fuels to reduce fuel imports as part of a bid to boost the country’s food and energy self-sufficiency, the report said.
Environmental groups have warned the plans would impact the country’s forests.
Auriga Nusantara has asked President Prabowo to issue a presidential regulation to protect all remaining natural forest, AFP reported.
