Indonesia's Forest Loss Increases 66% in 2025 Amid Self-Sufficiency Initiatives
Indonesia experienced a 66% increase in forest loss in 2025, marking the highest rate in eight years. This trend is driven by government initiatives aimed at food and energy self-sufficiency, leading to significant environmental degradation.
In 2025, Indonesia cleared 433,751 hectares of forest, a substantial rise from 261,575 hectares in 2024. Factors contributing to this increase include President Prabowo Subianto's food security program and bioenergy initiatives, which allocated 20.6 million hectares for related projects, with 43% being natural forest.
AI-curated by TheiaNotably, Borneo faced the most significant deforestation, while Sumatran provinces also reported alarming increases. The current environmental policies resemble those of the previous administration, which have weakened protections. Without improved regulations and conservation strategies, the risk of further environmental degradation and land fires remains high, especially with the anticipated dry season linked to El Niño.
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