Title: Indonesian deforestation on the rise again this year according to an NGO called Auriga Nusantara based on satellite image analysis and fieldwork Text: Indonesian deforestation has been on the rise again this year according to an NGO called Auriga Nusantara based on satellite image analysis and fieldwork. The report states that Indonesia is one of the world's leaders in deforestation with many reasons such as timber plantations, palm oil cultivation, and critical mineral mining. The rainforests are biodiverse and provide critical habitats for endangered species and carbon sinks. In 2024 there were 261,575 hectares of primary and secondary forests lost across Indonesia which was over four thousand more than the previous year. This is the third year in a row that deforestation has risen with most losses taking place in government-opened development areas. Auriga Nusantara's chairman Timer Manurung calls for urgent protection of forest in Kalimantan where the highest losses were recorded and Sulawesi. There are plans to convert millions of hectares of forests into food and energy use according to Indonesian environmentalists. President Prabowo Subianto who assumed office in October has promised to increase food and energy self-sufficiency by expanding bio-based fuels to lower fuel imports but this would mean the country's forests would be destroyed. Environmental groups ask President Prabowo to issue a presidential regulation to protect all remaining natural forest. The report is based on satellite imagery which was analyzed and confirmed with field visits to areas that represent tens of thousands of hectares of forest loss. Most losses were in Kalimantan where timber, mining, palm oil, and the new capital are drivers. Officials at Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Ministry did not comment.

Title: Indonesian deforestation on the rise again this year according to an NGO called Auriga Nusantara based on satellite image analysis and fieldwork Text: Indonesian deforestation has been on the rise again this year according to an NGO called Auriga Nusantara based on satellite image analysis and fieldwork. The report states that Indonesia is one of the world's leaders in deforestation with many reasons such as timber plantations, palm oil cultivation, and critical mineral mining. The rainforests are biodiverse and provide critical habitats for endangered species and carbon sinks. In 2024 there were 261,575 hectares of primary and secondary forests lost across Indonesia which was over four thousand more than the previous year. This is the third year in a row that deforestation has risen with most losses taking place in government-opened development areas. Auriga Nusantara's chairman Timer Manurung calls for urgent protection of forest in Kalimantan where the highest losses were recorded and Sulawesi. There are plans to convert millions of hectares of forests into food and energy use according to Indonesian environmentalists. President Prabowo Subianto who assumed office in October has promised to increase food and energy self-sufficiency by expanding bio-based fuels to lower fuel imports but this would mean the country's forests would be destroyed. Environmental groups ask President Prabowo to issue a presidential regulation to protect all remaining natural forest. The report is based on satellite imagery which was analyzed and confirmed with field visits to areas that represent tens of thousands of hectares of forest loss. Most losses were in Kalimantan where timber, mining, palm oil, and the new capital are drivers. Officials at Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Ministry did not comment.