Jakarta, Ekuatorial — Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar confirmed that President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo had signed Indonesia’s logging ban on natural forests and peatlands for another two years, on Wednesday (13/5), in Jakarta.

“I have to talked to Mr. President this morning and he agrees to sign the moratorium extension today [on Wednesday],” said Minister Nurbaya in a text message to Ekuatorial.com.

However, she said that she has yet to obtain the number of the new presidential instruction.

The Presidential Instruction (Inpres) on New Permit Suspension and Better Management of Primary Forest and Peatlands, or known shortly as forest moratorium, was initially issued in 2011 under then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration.

It instructed related ministries and institutions, such as Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Home Affairs, and National Land Agency, to halt granting new permits on natural forests and peatlands, excluding existing permits and vital national development projects, especially geothermal, oil and gas, electricity, paddy and sugar cane, and ecosystem restoration.

In addition, the Inpres also stipulated on drawing up one map on forest areas included in the moratorium which would be revised every six months.

The initiative was later dubbed as One Map Policy as its target is to serve as Indonesia’s only reference map on natural resources management.

The Inpres was extended to two years, until 2013 and expired on May 13, 2015.

Furthermore, Minister Nurbaya said that proposals submitted by civil societies on strengthening the moratorium can be discussed along with adjustment process made by related ministries.

“The Ministry of Environment and Forestry appreciates all proposals coming from WALHI [Indonesian Forum for The Environment], Kemitraan [Partnership], Sawit Watch, WRI [World Resources Institute] among others. We will compile all of them for follow up,” she said in a press statement.

Meanwhile, Teguh Surya, forest campaigner of Greenpeace Indonesia, appreciated the move to sign on the policy on its expiration date however it did not include any significant changes which would potentially destroyed 48.5 million hectares of unprotected forests.

“President Joko Widodo had failed to hear people’s voices to protect remaining forests and peatlands. In the hands of a forester, it will be difficult to achieve Indonesia’s target to cut greenhouse gas emissions and this country’s biodiversity will not be sustainable,” said Surya.

Based on Greenpeace Indonesia analysis, the new Inpres would only protect 63.8 million out of a total of 93.6 million hectares forest areas. In addition, the extension does not provide solution to solve overlapping moratorium areas which covers at least 5.7 million hectares. Fidelis E. Satriastanti

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