A provisional moratorium on issuing forest-clearing permits for plantations and logging is expected to be made permanent, Indonesian officials have announced. The moratorium prohibits the conversion of primary natural forests and peatlands for oil palm, pulpwood and logging concessions, and was introduced in 2011 by then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as part of wider efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation. Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar told that when it comes up for renewal again this July, the policy will be made permanent. The move is in keeping with the current administration’s development model of reining in agricultural and forestry expansion and boosting productivity from existing concessions. The permanent ban is intended to provide better protection for the environment while also maintaining economic growth. Activists and environmentalists have welcomed the plan to make the moratorium permanent as a key step toward reducing deforestation and helping Indonesia meet its emissions reductions goals of slashing CO2 emissions by at least 29% by 2030.

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