Forest loss in Indonesia surged by 66% in 2025, reaching its highest level in eight years, according to a report by environmental think tank Auriga Nusantara. The findings highlight growing concerns over weakening environmental protections and the environmental cost of ambitious national development policies.
The country, home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity and largest tropical forests, has long balanced conservation challenges with economic reliance on industries such as palm oil, mining, and energy production.
Rising Deforestation
The report estimates that 433,751 hectares of forest were cleared in 2025, a sharp increase from 261,575 hectares in 2024. This marks the highest rate of forest loss since 2016, when deforestation peaked at over one million hectares.
Researchers used satellite imagery alongside field verification across multiple provinces to assess the scale of forest clearing, pointing to a widespread and accelerating trend rather than isolated incidents.
Policy Drivers
A key factor behind the surge is the policy direction under President Prabowo Subianto, particularly his push for food and energy self-sufficiency.
Large areas of forest have been designated for agricultural expansion, energy production, and water infrastructure. Significant tracts of land, including natural forests, have been converted into rice fields, industrial plantations for biomass, and extractive industry concessions such as coal, gold, and nickel mining.
Critics argue that these policies continue patterns established under former president Joko Widodo, where large-scale development projects were prioritized, sometimes at the expense of environmental safeguards.
Regional Impact
The impact has been particularly severe across key forest regions. Borneo experienced the most rapid forest loss, followed by Sumatra and Papua.
Certain provinces recorded especially sharp increases in deforestation, coinciding with environmental disasters such as floods and landslides. East Kalimantan, where Indonesia’s new capital is planned, emerged as the hardest-hit area.
Environmental Risks
Environmental experts warn that the surge in deforestation could have serious consequences. The clearing of peatlands and natural forests increases vulnerability to climate-related disasters, including fires, floods, and landslides.
With the anticipated effects of El Nino, the risk of widespread forest and land fires is expected to rise further, potentially exacerbating environmental and public health crises across the region.
Government Response and Outlook
Indonesia’s forestry ministry has said it will strengthen oversight and ensure that development programmes do not neglect forest protection. However, critics argue that stronger regulatory enforcement and expanded conservation efforts are urgently needed to reverse current trends.
Analysis
The sharp increase in forest loss reflects a broader tension between economic development and environmental sustainability in Indonesia. The pursuit of self-sufficiency in food and energy has accelerated land conversion, but at a significant ecological cost.
If current policies continue without stronger safeguards, Indonesia risks undermining its global role as a key environmental steward. The coming months, particularly with heightened fire risks, will test whether the government can balance its development ambitions with the urgent need to protect its remaining forests.
With information from Reuters.
