[Jakarta, March 11th, 2021] Madani Sustainable Foundation appreciates the work of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) to reduce deforestation by 75% in the period of 2019-2020 as stated on their press release on March 3rd, 2021. This is a solid stepping stone for Indonesia to continue building its economy without deforestation and environmental degradation. Indonesia must maintain the reduction of deforestation in the future so that other tropical forest countries can look up to Indonesia's success.
" Therefore, it is crucial for the government of Indonesia to ensure that every development policy, from the National Economic Recovery Program ("PEN"), National Strategic Program ("PSN"), to food estate and energy security, is in line with efforts to achieve Indonesia's climate commitment ." said Yosi Amelia as Project Officer for Forest and Climate at Madani Sustainable Foundation in response to the MoEF press release on Indonesia's deforestation.
" However, the largest reduction of deforestation was in the loss of 'Plantation Forests,' with a whopping 99% reduction from the previous year and not in the loss of natural forests, while primary forest loss only decreased 48% from 23.9 thousand hectares in the period of 2018-2019 to 12.3 thousand hectares in 2019-2020. Unfortunately, the decline in secondary forest loss is even lower, only 36% from 164 thousand hectares in 2018-2019 to 104.6 thousand hectares in 2019-2020. This shows a high urgency for Indonesia to improve its protection towards secondary forests, both that are already granted concessions and that are not yet protected by the policy to halt new permits or “PIPPIB.” "One of the ways to do that is through policy innovations including the implementation of REDD+ ," said Fadli Ahmad Naufal, GIS Specialist.
Fadli also added, " If we only included the loss of natural forest (gross natural forest deforestation), the percentage of deforestation's reduction rate worthy of appreciation is actually 38%, from 187.9 thousand hectares loss in 2018-2019 to 116.9 thousand hectares loss in 2019-2020. According to Madani's initial research, there are 9.4 million hectares natural forest or 16 times the island of Bali that has not been licensed out and outside PIPPIB and social forestry allocation – PIAPS are not under protection of any policy to halt new licenses and therefore susceptible to deforestation .”
On the other hand, the Indonesian government has formulated new policies which present high risks to increase deforestation in the next few years. Without strengthening environmental safeguards, it is feared that these recent development programs may jeopardize Indonesia's climate commitment and low carbon development program; and worse, intensifying conflicts with indigenous and local communities.
The country faces a risk of imminent increase in deforestation within an extensive area of natural forests – around 1.5 million hectares or almost 3 times the island of Bali – is included in the Area of Interest (AOI) of Food Estate in 4 provinces of Papua, Central Kalimantan, North Sumatra, and South Sumatra. Huge potential economic value of timber in those areas – reaching IDR 209 trillions – increases such risks.
" Therefore it is urgent for the government to strengthen the protection of secondary natural forests, both already in concessions and those that are not yet protected by PIPPIB. One thing that can be done is through the implementation of REDD+ with the implementation of strong environmental and social safeguards supported by data transparency ", said Yosi.
Yosi also added that Madani would be at the forefront if the government opens up to protect Indonesia's natural forests from further deforestation.
Contact Person:
Yosi Amelia, Project Officer for Forest and Climate, Madani Berkelanjutan Foundation, Phone +62813 2217 1803
Luluk Uliyah, Senior Media Communication Officer, Madani Berkelanjutan Foundation, Phone +62815 1986 8887
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" However, the largest decrease in deforestation actually occurred in plantation forest deforestation by 99%, so it was not the loss of natural forest. Meanwhile, primary forest deforestation decreased by 48%, namely from 23.9 thousand hectares in 2018-2019 to 12.3 thousand hectares in 2019-2020. Unfortunately, secondary forest deforestation did not decrease as much as primary forest, namely only 36% from 164 thousand hectares in 2018-2019 to 104.6 thousand hectares in 2019-2020. This shows that it is very urgent to increase protection of secondary natural forests, both those in concessions that are not yet protected by PIPPIB, one of which is through policy innovations including the implementation of REDD+ ," said Fadli Ahmad Naufal, GIS Specialist.
" If we only look at the loss of natural forests (gross deforestation of natural forests), it is true that there has been a decline in deforestation that deserves appreciation, but only by 38%, namely from 187.9 thousand hectares in 2018-2019 to 116.9 thousand hectares in 2019-2020. Based on Madani's initial analysis, there are around 9.4 million hectares of natural forest or almost the equivalent of 16 times the island of Bali outside of permits and concessions and PIAPS and PIPPIB areas that are not yet protected by the policy of stopping the issuance of new permits or forest moratoriums and are therefore vulnerable to deforestation ," added Fadli Ahmad Naufal.
On the other hand, the government has also successfully formulated policies that have the potential to increase the rate of deforestation in the coming years. Without tightened environmental safeguards, there are concerns that these various development programs could undermine Indonesia's climate and low-carbon development commitments and actually increase conflicts with indigenous and local communities.
In the near future, the potential for increased deforestation rates is indicated by the vast area of natural forest within the Food Estate Area of Interest (AOI) in four provinces (Papua, Central Kalimantan, North Sumatra, and South Sumatra). This natural forest area is approximately 1.5 million hectares, or nearly three times the size of Bali. Concerns about deforestation are well-founded given the substantial potential economic value of timber within this natural forest area, amounting to 209 trillion rupiah.
" Therefore, it is urgent for the government to strengthen protection of secondary natural forests, both those already under concession and those not yet protected by PIPPIB. One way to do this is through the implementation of REDD+ with strong environmental and social safeguards supported by data transparency ," Yosi said.
“ Madani will be at the forefront if the government is open to working together to implement actions to reduce deforestation ,” Yosi added.
Media Contact:
Yosi Amelia, Forest and Climate Project Officer, Madani Berkelanjutan Foundation, HP.0813 2217 1803
Luluk Uliyah, Senior Media Communication Officer, Madani Berkelanjutan Foundation, 0815 1986 8887
