Coronavirus cuts force Indonesia to scale back forest protection


  • World
  • Thursday, 25 Jun 2020

FILE PHOTO: File picture of firefighters trying to extinguish forest fires at Sebangau National Park area in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia, September 14, 2019. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

SINGAPORE/JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia has scaled back protection for some of the world's most important tropical forests ahead of the worst season for fires because of budget cuts due to the coronavirus, the environment ministry said.

At risk are forests bigger than any outside the Amazon and Congo and which are home to more than a tenth of the world's mammal species - including the rare orangutan - and nearly a fifth of its birds.

Subscribe now and receive FREE sooka plan for 1 month.
T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Germany arrests suspected members of neo-Nazi group plotting revolt
Equatorial Guinea orders crackdown on sex in government offices after videos leaked
South Africa and Britain to strengthen trade and defence ties
The final day of voting in the US is here, after tens of millions have already cast their ballots
Russian tank factory employee jailed for 16 years in Ukraine treason case
Colombia to buy Saab fighter aircraft, Swedish public radio reports
Nigeria court frees 119 protesters after government drops charges
Greek court detains man pending trial over Athens apartment blast
Greece mulls migrant facility on Rhodes to tackle rise in arrivals
Doing nothing not an option, German liberals tell coalition allies

Others Also Read