‘World’s Largest Deforestation Project’ Halted Early, Saving Potentially 4 Million Acres.
Indonesian officials announced the government will stop expanding plantations into forests under its Food and Energy Estates project and will shift food and biofuel production to degraded land, Mighty Earth reports.
Indonesia's government announced it would end deforestation for its Food and Energy Estates, according to a note by Mighty Earth founder and CEO Glenn Hurowitz. The project had planned to clear more than 4 million hectares of forest, peatland, savanna and other ecosystems across Papua, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Sumatra for rice, sugarcane ethanol and other plantations.
The announcement came from Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the president's special envoy for environment and climate change, and Mari Elka Pangestu, the special envoy for international trade and multilateral cooperation. Hashim said that, because of success in reaching rice self-sufficiency, the agriculture ministry "does not need to expand the further cultivation of rice in so-called forest areas." Pangestu said the 2 million hectares announced for food production were no longer needed. She added that future food and biofuel production would use degraded land, of which she said Indonesia has over 12 million hectares.
Mighty Earth says the project had already destroyed more than 50,000 hectares of habitat in Papua for endangered species such as tree kangaroos and birds of paradise, and had dispossessed many communities of their land. Hurowitz called the announcements a real sign of progress. He said they open a path for large-scale investment in conservation and restoration in support of the government's goal of restoring 12 million hectares of native ecosystems, which he said could remove gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere.
Hurowitz stressed that results depend on implementation, including steps to repair harm to affected communities and to respect local rights. Solidaritas Merauke, a coalition facilitated by the Indonesian group Suara Pusaka, called the statement an initial response to the struggles of Indigenous people and local communities affected by the projects. It questioned defining "degraded land" only by physical or economic measures. It urged the government to end the food and energy projects in South Papua, revise Regulation No. 16 of 2025, stop road construction and cancel Forestry Minister Decree 591.
Mighty Earth said it has worked with Indonesian and international partners for two years on alternatives to the clearing. It said it and Indonesian organizations will monitor how the promises are carried out.
Note: The headline says the project was halted and gives acres. The page reports a government announcement of intent, with implementation and formal policy changes still pending, and it measures the project's planned 4 million in hectares, not acres.
At a Glance
- The Food and Energy Estates project planned to clear more than 4 million hectares across Papua, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Sumatra.
- Mighty Earth says more than 50,000 hectares of habitat in Papua were destroyed before the announcement.
- Mari Elka Pangestu said 2 million hectares announced for food production are no longer needed.
- Officials said future food and biofuel production will use degraded land, with over 12 million hectares available.
- Solidaritas Merauke asked for revision of Regulation No. 16 of 2025 and cancellation of Forestry Minister Decree 591.
Sources
This brief was written by Brightside Report from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Request a correction.