Home » 200,000 Hectares of Oil Palm Plantation in Indonesia to Be Restored Into Forest

200,000 Hectares of Oil Palm Plantation in Indonesia to Be Restored Into Forest

Ayu Rizka
18:00, 7 Nov 2023

On the evening of 6 November 2023, a surprising announcement was made by Bambang Hendroyono, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Forestry. It revealed that the Indonesian government is committed to restoring 200,000 hectares of oil palm plantation land located within the protected forest area in Kalimantan to its previous forest status.

This pledge is in line with regulations implemented in 2020 aimed at enhancing the governance of the palm oil industry sector. Indonesia, renowned as the world’s largest palm oil producer and exporter for decades, has faced criticism from environmental activists and community groups for its previous expansion of oil palm plantation for commercial purposes.

Lihat postingan ini di Instagram

Sebuah kiriman dibagikan oleh USS Feed (@ussfeeds)

According to the relevant regulations, any company entering the 200,000 hectares of oil palm plantation is obligated to pay fines and submit the documents by the deadline of 2 November 2023.

These plantations encompass a total area of over 3.3 million hectares within protected forest zones, with only half of them identified by the government so far. Bambang suggests that the potential for further restoration efforts exists.

Government Initiatives to Restore Oil Palm Plantation to Forests

In response to this situation, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, has expressed his intent to threaten and pursue legal action against unlicensed or illegal palm oil companies.

To date, the Indonesian government continues to conduct extensive audits to determine the plantations situated within protected forest areas. This diligence is imperative, as these protected forests in Kalimantan play a vital role in preserving the ecosystem and biodiversity of the region.

However, environmental activists remain critical of the government’s efforts, deeming them “belated” in addressing critical issues. Their aspiration is for the Indonesian government to intensify programs aimed at restoring illegal oil palm plantation, with the goal of ensuring the long-term preservation of Kalimantan’s original natural ecosystem.

Interested in this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat!

Halmahera Forest Tribe’s Viral Video: Defending the Forest from Nickel Mining Threat

Content Writer

Yuriz absolutely loves content writing and exploring the nitty-gritty of various topics. It all started by chance, but writing quickly became an essential part of her life! Plus, she is a huge K-pop fan, jamming out to it all day, every day!

See More Articles From Ayu Rizka >>

Chinese Tourist Found Dead at 23-Metre Depth After Snorkelling Incident off Kelor Island, Labuan Bajo

A Chinese tourist who went missing while snorkelling in the waters off Kelor Island, Labuan Bajo, was found dead at a depth of 23 metres after a joint search and rescue operation on Wednesday (15 July). The victim was one of two Chinese nationals who died during the incident. The victims were identified as Guo […]

10 Challenges Foreign Investors Face When Setting Up a Business in Indonesia

For foreign entrepreneurs, Indonesia remains one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling growth markets. The opportunity is clear. The process, however, is rarely simple. Between shifting regulations, licensing rules, local expectations, and the practical realities of doing business across a vast archipelago, setting up a company in Indonesia can take more planning than many investors expect. […]

Rail Travel Gains Popularity Among Overseas Tourists in Semarang Operational Area

State-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has recorded a notable increase in the number of foreign nationals travelling by train through various stations within the Semarang Operational Area (Daop 4) during the first semester of 2026. The figure represents a 9.38 per cent jump compared with the corresponding period in 2025. The upward […]

Following the Viral Nyepi Day Insult Case, Swiss Tourist Requests Lighter Sentence

A Swiss citizen standing trial over an alleged insult to Nyepi Day has asked the Badung District Court to impose a lighter sentence after prosecutors sought a prison term of one year and three months. Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, submitted his plea before the panel of judges, arguing that he had no intention of insulting […]