Nusantara Blog
Read our location and evidence-based stories linking deforestation and fire alerts, time-lapse satellite animations, cadastres, field investigations, literature reviews, and other resources to understand the causes, consequences and solutions to deforestation and fires in Equatorial Asia.
- All articles (25)
Read our location and evidence-based stories linking deforestation and fire alerts, time-lapse satellite animations, cadastres, field investigations, literature reviews, and other resources to understand the causes, consequences and solutions to deforestation and fires in Equatorial Asia.
Industrial Wood Pulp Deforestation in Indonesia Slows in 2024
In 2024, the conversion of old-growth/primary forests* to fast-growing pulpwood plantations (mostly Acacia sp. or Eucalyptus sp.) decreased compared to 2023 (White bars; Figure 1). Our analysis, conducted using satellite images from Sentinel-2 and Planet/NICFI, reveals that industrial pulpwood plantations expanded by 74,310 ha hectares in 2024 (White and black bars; Figure 1), a 25% decrease from the previous year. The […]
Indonesia’s Race for Rice: A Gamble in Merauke’s Wetlands
Across Indonesia, vast rice fields are disappearing — particularly in Java and Bali, where urban expansion, industrial developments, and infrastructure projects are replacing agricultural land. As a nation reliant on rice as a staple food, this loss raises a critical question: how will Indonesia feed its population in the future? The government’s answer is ambitious: […]
Industrial Palm Oil Deforestation in Indonesia Slows Slightly in 2024
In 2024, the conversion of old-growth forests to industrial palm oil plantations in Indonesia slowed slightly compared to 2023 (White bars; Figure 1). Our analysis, conducted using satellite images from Sentinel-2 and Planet/NICFI, reveals that industrial plantations expanded by 117,139 ha hectares in 2024 (White and black bars; Figure 1), a 9% decrease from the previous year. The […]
From Rice Fields to Beach Clubs, and Sprawling Cities: 60 years of Change in Southern Bali
Before Bali became a global tourism hotspot, its southern landscapes were dominated by paddy fields, coconut groves, and tranquil coastlines. This peaceful island began a dramatic transformation in the 1970s, following the inauguration of the international airport in 1968. Within a few decades, Bali evolved into one of Asia’s most visited destinations, reshaping its landscapes […]
Illegal Deforestation Exposed in Indonesia’s Prime Biodiversity Hotspot.
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and The TreeMap have released unprecedented satellite evidence of widespread, palm oil-driven deforestation in Indonesia’s Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve. This reserve protects Western Sumatra’s last pristine lowland coastal peat-swamp forests, home to the highest concentration of Sumatran orangutans, around 1,500 individuals, or 10% of the total population. RAN and The TreeMap […]
Indonesia’s Mining Crossroads: New Map Unveils Opportunities for Environmental Monitoring
David Gaveau and Douglas Sheil wrote this article The TreeMap created the first 10-meter resolution map of Indonesia’s mining land footprint, highlighting open mining pits and infrastructures. Since 2001, 721,000 hectares, including 150,000 hectares of primary forest, have been transformed into mining infrastructures by December 2023. Coal mining had the largest impact, covering 322,000 hectares, […]
2023 Deforestation by the Wood Pulp Industry in Indonesia Surges, Hits Record Highs in Kalimantan
Rising global demand for wood pellets, wood pulp, viscose for clothing, paper, tissue and packaging is fueling a new wave of expansion in Indonesia, especially in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo. In 2023, the conversion of Indonesian primary1 forests into fast-growing, intensively managed monoculture pulpwood plantations (mostly Acacia sp. or Eucalyptus sp.) saw another […]
2023 Marks a Surge in Palm Oil Expansion in Indonesia
In 2023, Indonesia saw an increase in deforestation caused by the expansion of intensively managed industrial monoculture palm oil plantations, following a record 21-year low in 2021 (White bars; Figure 1). Industrial plantations grew by 128,000 hectares in 2023 (White and black bars; Figure 1), a 59% increase from the previous year. The associated deforestation […]
Indonesia’s Pulp Industry, Deforestation Surge, and Domino Greenwashing Exposed.
Aerial Photo of PT Industrial Forest Plantation, (1°30’32.84”S – 114°11’12.21”E). Source: Fajar Sandhika / Auriga Nusantara
Decoding Fire Alerts in Nusantara Atlas
As Indonesia’s fire season escalates into its acute phase, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, and with September historically marked as the most critical month for vegetation fires in the country, this article endeavours to provide clarity on fire alerts within the Nusantara Atlas. Its purpose is to assist users in comprehending and optimizing the […]