Illegal Palm Oil Plantation Fires in KHG Have Occurred Since 2015: Their Extent

Based on data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) processed by the research and advocacy institution Pantau Gambut, illegal palm oil plantation fires in peat hydrological units (KHG) have occurred since 2015.

In 2015, the area burned reached 10,508 hectares, the largest in at least the last five years.

A year later, illegal palm oil land fires occurred again, covering 767.12 hectares. By 2017, the fires had decreased to 53.54 hectares.

However, in 2018, the area burned increased again to 1,241 hectares. The latest data in 2019 shows that the burned area in unlicensed regions surged to 3,578 hectares.

Wahyu Perdana, Advocacy and Campaign Manager of Pantau Gambut, stated that these recurring fires are due to the lack of enforcement against corporations operating illegally in KHG areas.

Wahyu mentioned that out of 32 palm oil companies operating illegally in KHG areas, only 5 are truly located in peat ecosystems with cultivation functions. The other 27 companies, or 84%, also operate in peat ecosystems with protective functions.

"This demonstrates a violation of Article 21 of Government Regulation No. 71 of 2014 in conjunction with Government Regulation No. 57 of 2016 concerning the Protection and Management of Peat Ecosystems. This condition increases the risk of land and forest fires, especially in peat ecosystems," said Wahyu in a written statement to Databoks on Wednesday (25/10/2023).

The situation is exacerbated by the government's plan to legitimize palm oil plantations. Pantau Gambut notes that 3.3 million hectares of palm oil plantations are to be legalized. Of this amount, 407,260 hectares, or 14%, are in KHG areas.

Syahrul Fitra, Forest Campaigner at Greenpeace Indonesia, said that the proliferation of illegal palm oil plantations in various regions—including in protected and conservation forest areas—is due to poor government governance, lack of transparency, and weak law enforcement.

"Instead of rectifying this, the government is actually legitimizing illegal palm oil in forest areas. This policy clearly does not favor the environment and the indigenous and local communities affected, but is suspected of benefiting the palm oil oligarchy within the circle of power," he said.

(Also read: Central Kalimantan Becomes the Largest Hotspot for Illegal Palm Oil Land in KHG Areas in 2023)