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13 Sept 2024

Indonesia Grapples with Deforestation: A Look at the Latest Tree Cover Trends
Indonesia Grapples with Deforestation: A Look at the Latest Tree Cover Trends

Indonesia, a country with a land area of over 189 million hectares, has been facing significant environmental challenges, as evidenced by the latest data on tree cover loss. Over the years, the country has seen a fluctuating trend in deforestation, with various drivers contributing to the loss of its lush tree cover, which spans over 160 million hectares.

The most recent incident in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, where a fire alert was recorded on September 13, 2024, is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against deforestation. While the incident count stands at one, the broader picture over the past two decades reveals a more concerning scenario.

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Shifting agriculture and forestry remain the primary drivers of tree cover loss, with urbanization also playing a significant role. From 2001 to 2022, the total tree cover loss amounted to millions of hectares, with the highest recorded loss in 2016 at over 2.40 million hectares. Although there was a slight decrease in tree cover loss in 2021 and 2022, the overall trend indicates a persistent challenge.

The net change in tree cover shows a disturbing figure, with a loss of over 9 million hectares and a gain of only approximately 4.90 million hectares, leading to a net loss of over 4.10 million hectares. This equates to a net change of -2.62%, a clear indication that the rate of reforestation is not keeping pace with the loss.

The environmental impact of these losses is significant, with gross emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) reaching billions of megagrams. The data underscores the need for continued vigilance and action to mitigate the effects of deforestation and promote sustainable land management practices in Indonesia.

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