Indonesia Vows Forest Rights to Indigenous Groups—But Will It Del…

Indonesia has announced an ambitious pledge to recognize Indigenous and customary community rights to 3.5 million acres of forest by 2029—a promise that would quadruple the country’s officially recognized customary forests. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni unveiled the plan at November’s United for Wildlife Global Summit in Rio de Janeiro, emphasizing that Indigenous peoples are “the true guardians of Indonesia’s tropical forests” and noting that recognizing their rights could reduce deforestation by 30-50%.

The commitment comes at a crucial time for Indonesia, which harbors the world’s third-largest tropical rainforest after Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With deforestation rates remaining stubbornly high, the government frames this initiative as a dual solution: protecting Indigenous rights while combating forest loss through community-based conservation.

However, Indigenous advocacy groups are responding with deep skepticism rather than celebration. Muhammad Arman from the Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) criticized the government’s track record, stating that “The Indonesian government always has big ambitions on climate and deforestation, but its policies are contradictory.” Activists point to a pattern of unfulfilled promises while land grabs for extractive industries and infrastructure projects—often state-backed—continue displacing Indigenous communities.

The controversy highlights a fundamental tension in Indonesia’s approach to environmental protection and development. While international audiences may welcome such announcements, Indigenous groups on the ground remain focused on the gap between government rhetoric and reality, demanding concrete action rather than another round of ambitious pledges.