Research reveals illegal forest permits exemption in Riau, says NGO

Pekanbaru, Ekuatorial – A Riau based forest watchdog found indicators for exempting illegal industrial plantation permits and plantation permits through revising the province’s spatial planning, said Widya Astuti of Hutanriau Foundation, in Pekanbaru, on Tuesday (14/4). Based on Hutanriau Foundation research in Siak and Pelalawan districts, it is allegedly found violation on ministry of environment […]

Tambora Mountain inaugurated as National Park

Dompu, Ekuatorial – Presiden Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo inaugurated Tambora Mountain of West Nusa Tenggara as national park, in Doro Ncanga, Dompu, on Saturday (11/4). Mount of Tambora, located in Sumbawa island under administrations of Dompu and Bima districts, produced the biggest eruption known to mankind back in 1815 as its volcanic ashes darkened the world […]

North Sulawesi government steps up its game to fight illegal logging and forest encroachment

Manado, Ekuatorial – Following illegal logging and forest encroachment for plantation and mining, North Sulawesi official on Thursday (9/4) said that they have been inventorying activities to protect its remaining forest area. “Forest cover in North Sulawesi reach 764,739.27 hectares comprises of conservation forest, converted production forest, protected forest, limited production forest, and production forest. […]

Gemstone mining threatens Wonogiri protected forest

Solo, Ekuatorial – Recent high demand on gemstones is threatening environment in Wonogori forest of Central Java, due to traditional way of mining, said a local official on Thursday (2/4). At least three sub districts, — Kismantoro, Jatiroto, and Tirtomoyo –, are being targeted by local miners for Fire Opal stone which is claimed as […]

Green groups call for banned all permits on forest exploitation in Aceh

Aceh Tamiang, Ekuatorial – A coalition of green groups demanded for Aceh Tamiang government banned all permits issuance related to forest exploitation, in Aceh Tamiang, on Thursday (25/3). The Coalition to Save Forest and Environment just released a policy brief calling for moratorium on forest permit issuance for mining and plantation in Aceh Tamiang district. […]

Aceh govt declares Tripa peats as protected areas

Banda Aceh, Ekuatorial – After years of legal battle, Aceh government finally declared Tripa peat swamp as protected areas, on Saturday (21/3), as stated in a press release by Coalition to Save the Tripa Peat Swamp Forest. In 2012, Tripa peat swamp made international news headlines after massive fires raged throughout the area questioning Indonesia’s […]

No legal status for customary lands in Indonesia

Sorong, Ekuatorial – Though already submitted customary land maps to the government, no legal status has yet to be declared over these areas, said an activist on Monday (16/3), in Sorong, Papua. “There isn’t any process related to acknowledging customary land maps because government has yet to issue regulations on these maps,” said Kasmita Widodo, […]

Relocation for people living in Langsa watershed to overcome floods

Langsa, Ekuatorial – Langsa administration planned to relocate people living in Langsa watershed areas to overcome floods coming every year, said Iskandar Syukri, head of Langsa Disaster Mitigation Agency, on Thursday (5/3), in Langsa. “Normalizing Langsa river will not solve the problem. It is much efficient to elevate embankments and construct concrete embankments permanently which […]