Indonesia’s deforestation rate continued its upward trend in 2024, marking the third consecutive year of increased forest loss, according to an environmental watchdog.
The group attributes the destruction to government-backed development projects and the expansion of key industries.
In a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Indonesia remains one of the most rapidly deforested countries in the world, with major contributors including timber plantations, palm oil production, and the growing demand for critical minerals.
The nation’s rainforests, which serve as crucial carbon sinks and habitats for endangered species, are facing relentless pressure from economic expansion.
A new analysis from Auriga Nusantara revealed that Indonesia lost approximately 261,575 hectares (646,366 acres) of primary and secondary forests in 2024—an increase of over 4,000 hectares from the previous year.
According to the group, most of the deforestation occurred in government-sanctioned development zones. “It is worrying, as it shows the increase of legal deforestation,” said Timer Manurung, Auriga Nusantara’s chair.
Manurung stressed the need for urgent intervention to protect forests in Kalimantan, where the most significant losses were recorded due to the construction of Indonesia’s new capital, and in Sulawesi.
The report comes as environmentalists sound the alarm over the Indonesian government’s plans to convert vast areas of forest for food production and energy projects.
President Prabowo Subianto, who took office in October, has pledged to enhance food and energy self-sufficiency, including expanding biofuel production to reduce reliance on imports.
Environmental groups caution that such policies could accelerate forest destruction.
“We ask President Prabowo to issue a presidential regulation to protect all remaining natural forest,” Manurung told AFP.
Auriga Nusantara’s findings are based on satellite imagery and on-the-ground field research covering tens of thousands of hectares of forest loss.
The deforestation crisis has touched nearly all of Indonesia’s provinces except the Jakarta region, with the heaviest losses seen in Kalimantan.
One of the key drivers, according to the report, is the allocation of land for Indonesia’s new capital, a project that has sparked regional governments to propose opening hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest for development.
Beyond government projects, industries such as timber, mining, and palm oil remain primary forces behind forest destruction.
The report also highlights concerns over the clearing of forests for biomass production, as Indonesia seeks to expand its use and export of biomass energy, particularly to Japan and South Korea.
Environmentalists are particularly concerned about deforestation in Raja Ampat, a region famous for its coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity.
Nickel mining operations have already deforested nearly 200 hectares across four islands, with new mining licenses issued for several additional islands. “This area of such national and international acclaim has been unable to withstand the onslaught,” the report noted.
Auriga Nusantara also reported instances of forest loss occurring within conservation areas, despite legal protections.
The group estimates that around 42 million hectares of Indonesia’s natural forests remain legally unprotected, including substantial portions within existing concessions.
While deforestation rates have climbed over the past three years, they remain significantly lower than the peak levels recorded in 2016.
Officials from Indonesia’s Environment and Forestry Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. The government has previously challenged environmentalists’ deforestation assessments, arguing that certain analyses misinterpret plantation changes as deforestation.
Auriga Nusantara clarified that its figures exclude timber plantations and managed plantation forests but account for losses in both primary and secondary natural forests.
