Indonesia is set to carry out one of the largest deforestation projects ever recorded, clearing approximately 30,689 square kilometers of forest—comparable in size to Belgium. The project, part of a national strategy to boost domestic bioethanol and food production, will convert these forests into plantations for sugarcane, rice, and other crops. Targeted regions include Papua and Kalimantan, which are home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity, including rare and endangered species such as orangutans, Sumatran elephants, and birds-of-paradise. The government argues this is necessary to reduce dependence on food imports and fossil fuels.
However, environmentalists and Indigenous groups have raised strong objections, citing serious environmental and social consequences. Scientists warn that clearing these forests could release more than 100 million tons of carbon dioxide, undermining climate commitments and threatening Indonesia’s net-zero goals. Moreover, monoculture plantations could degrade soil health and disrupt local water systems. Indigenous communities risk displacement, as many live in or depend on the targeted lands. Experts say the loss of these mature forests cannot be offset by reforestation efforts, as planted trees lack the complex ecosystems and carbon storage capacities of primary forests. International NGOs have called for more sustainable land use alternatives and stronger protection of Indigenous rights. More