Kalimantan was again home to the most extensive annual deforestation in 2024, as it had been for the previous eleven years. In contrast to other regions, where deforestation has remained relatively stagnant, in Kalimantan deforestation has increased drastically every year since 2021.

In 2023, timber plantation development was the greatest cause of deforestation in Indonesia, occurring mainly in Kalimantan. Despite this deforestation being so extensive, it occurred in only a few concessions.

This situation continued in 2024, almost entirely in the same concessions, or those with ownership links. As an example, massive deforestation in the PT Mayawana Persada timber plantation concession in West Kalimantan expanded significantly in 2024, with the same thing happening in the PT Industrial Forest Plantation concession in Central Kalimantan. Even though a coalition of civil society organizations had already exposed deforestation in the two concessions the previous year in reports entitled Pulping Borneo (2023) about deforestation in PT Industrial Forest Plantation and Deforestation Anonymous (March 2024) highlighting deforestation in the PT Mayawana Persada concession, deforestation continued in both concessions in 2024.

However, some timber plantations also began in 2024, as was the case with three neighboring concessions in Melawi Regency, West Kalimantan – PT Meranti Laksana, PT Meranti Lestari, and PT Lahan Cakrawala – which commenced operations in the second half of 2024. Auriga Nusantara researchers documented deforestation in November 2024, and will soon publish a dedicated report.

Deforestation from timber plantation development appears set to continue in Kalimantan in the coming year, as the government has issued a license to establish the giant PT Phoenix Resources International pulp mill in Tarakan, North Kalimantan. No clarification has been given to the public about the source of raw materials for the mill, and, most worryingly, there are indications of ownership/management connections between PT Phoenix Resources International and PT Mayawana Persada, PT Industrial Forest Plantation, PT Meranti Laksana, PT Meranti Lestari, and PT Lahan Cakrawala.

Deforestation for timber plantation development in 2024 was not only carried out by the pulp industry, but also by energy or biomass plantations, as was the case with three neighboring concessions – PT Inti Global Laksana, PT Banyan Tumbuh Lestari, and PT Biomasa Jaya Abadi – in Gorontalo; PT Malinau Hijau Lestari in North Kalimantan; PT Jaya Bumi Paser in East Kalimantan; and PT Babugus Wahana Lestari in Central Kalimantan.

Deforestation for energy plantation development looks set to continue in coming years, bearing in mind (1) the high market demand, especially from Japan and South Korea; (2) national electricity policy providing room for the use of wood-based biomass as a raw material for generating around 5% – 10% of the country’s electricity by 2030; and (3) the drastic increase in energy plantation concession licenses issued by the Ministry of Forestry. A warning about high levels of deforestation for the development of biomass energy plantations has been voiced by a coalition of civil society organizations through a report entitled Unheeded Warnings: Forest Biomass Threats to Tropical Forests in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

“.. moving forward, we must plant more oil palm. There’s no need to be afraid ... endanger deforestation,” said President Prabowo at the National Development Deliberation (Musrenbangnas) on 30 December 2024. Whether in line with this thought, or not, Prabowo is building justification for oil palm expansion that converts natural forest. Clearly, in 2024 deforestation for oil palm development remained high in Indonesia, especially in Sumatra and Kalimantan. In 2024, oil palm development accounted for 37,483 ha, or 14% of all deforestation.

Deforestation for oil palm tending to occur on a large scale in almost every oil palm deforestation point in 2024, indicates oil palm development being carried out by corporations, or being propped up by large investors, rather than smallholders (categorized as under 25 ha). This was apparent with 2,019 ha of deforestation for oil palm in the PT Borneo International Anugerah (BIA) concession in West Kalimantan, and 1,347 ha in the PT Alam Lestari Indah concession in Central Kalimantan. Deforestation for oil palm not only occurred in oil palm concessions, but also in the PT Diamond Raya Timber plantation concession in Riau Province.

Deforestation in Sulawesi fell significantly in 2024. Nevertheless, bearing in mind the area of forest cover on the island is far below that of Papua, Kalimantan, and Sumatra, its deforestation figures should still be taken seriously. Deforestation in Sulawesi, from highest to lowest, occurred in Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Gorontalo, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi.

In contrast to relatively flat Kalimantan, undulating hills are predominant on Sulawesi. The island, the entirety of which sits in the Wallacea region, is known for its high levels of floral and faunal endemism, particularly in its birds. In addition to having significant potential to result in landslides and flash floods, deforestation on the island also has the potential to trigger higher levels of species extinction.

Seen by commodity, the nickel industry was the greatest driver of deforestation in Sulawesi, accounting for an area of 4,262 ha in 210 concessions in Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and South Sulawesi.

A special note should be given to Gorontalo, a small province in northern Sulawesi, which has a relatively small area of natural forest, but experienced 2,180 ha of deforestation in 2024. As much as 71% of this deforestation was for energy plantation development (biomass) by neighboring concessions, PT Inti Global Laksana, and PT Banyan Tumbuh Lestari, which supply the nearby PT Biomasa Jaya Abadi wood pellet mill. Auriga Nusantara analysis, due for imminent release, shows ownership links between the three companies.

The formation of this island through volcanic activity has resulted in it containing high levels of mining commodities. Not only is it home to nickel, the island also has relatively large gold reserves. Unfortunately, this potential threatens its natural forest cover. An area of 181 ha of deforestation from gold mining activities was identified in 2024. This figure is what transpired inside mining operation concession areas; however, such activities were even identified to be encroaching on conservation areas like Nantu Wildlife Refuge in Gorontalo, and Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park in North Sulawesi.

The public perhaps still thinks of Raja Ampat as an untouched cluster of small islands surrounded by beautiful calm seas filled with coral reefs. This island cluster – now a regency in Southwest Papua – is indeed known as a tourist destination and for its natural beauty, especially its coral reef-filled waters. None other than President Jokowi even saw in the new year there.

However, this area of such national and international acclaim has been unable to withstand the onslaught of nickel mining. At least four small islands in Raja Ampat: Gag, Waigeo, Manuram, and Kawei have already been affected by nickel mines. Analysis of satellite imagery indicates that to 2024, nickel mining had resulted in 174 ha of deforestation across the four islands.

Not only that, but new nickel mining licenses have been issued to PT Mulia Raymond Perkasa for the islands of Batang Pele and Manyaifun, though mining operations have yet to commence.

Deforestation for nickel looks set to expand in Tanah Papua, as there are five mining licenses in this easternmost region of Indonesia. These licenses cover a total area of 38,529 ha, with 58%, or 22,452 ha, constituting natural forest cover.