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Borneo Rainforest Cleared for Palm Oil Within Protected Area
17 Feb
Summary
- Nearly 1,500 hectares cleared in a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Clearing overlaps with critical habitat for endangered Bornean orangutans.
- Indigenous leaders report lack of consent and negative impacts on daily life.
A significant area of rainforest, nearly 1,500 hectares, has been cleared in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province by palm oil company PT Equator Sumber Rezeki (ESR). This destruction is occurring within the Betung Kerihun-Danau Sentarum Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognized zone critical for endangered wildlife and Indigenous communities.
The clearing overlaps with the habitat of the critically endangered Bornean orangutan, with studies indicating a substantial portion of the area is occupied by these primates. Local Indigenous Dayak leaders have stated they were not properly consulted or did not provide consent for parts of the land included in the company's permit. The impacts are already being felt, with wildlife like bears and orangutans appearing closer to communities.
Environmentalists are urging the Indonesian government to revoke ESR's permit, highlighting that conservationists estimate up to 80% of the cleared area holds significant conservation value. This deforestation directly undermines Indonesia's commitment to becoming a net carbon sink by 2030. Despite zero-deforestation pledges, palm oil from such destructive supply chains can enter global markets through intermediary mills, raising concerns about greenwashing.
