Indonesian officials have said they will conserve nearly half the country’s share of Borneo Island
Indonesian officials have said they will conserve nearly half the country’s share of Borneo Island, which is covered with dense rainforest, to meet a presidential pledge to reduce gas emissions.
Borneo Island is also shared with Malaysia and Brunei. Indonesia’s area covers approximately 210,000 sq miles. The island’s forests are home to some of the world’s most diverse wildlife but are under threat from illegal plantations and logging.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed a decree authorising conservation of at least 45% of its share of Borneo Island. The move is part of the country’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2020.
Environment organisations regard Indonesia as the third highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world because of the deforestation caused by the country’s giant palm oil and paper industries.
In 2007 an agreement was signed by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei to protect 85,000 sq miles of equatorial rainforest.
