Causes of Deforestation
Deforestation in Indonesia is caused by many issues, such as the production of palm oil, illegal logging, and natural causes.
Palm Oil Harvesting
Indonesia's main cause of deforestation is there production of palm oil. From the article Indonesia Forests by GreenPeace, "Indonesia is the world's largest producer of crude palm oil, with 15 million hectares of land licensed for palm oil development." Huge areas of forests are destroyed and cleared away to make palm oil plantations.
Farming
Although they live simple and traditional lives, farming is how they stay alive. Nomad cultures require people to move around from areas of land to new areas of land. Whenever they settle in their new habitat, farming is needed to survive. They cut or burn down trees in order to grow crops. When they move away, they leave the deforested land destroyed and difficult to repair.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are unpreventable, not only does it hurt us humans, but the forests are easily destroyed by them. Areas like Java and Sumatra are at high risk of earthquakes and volcanoes because they are located along the Ring of Fire. Long term natural disasters, such as droughts and floods, cause lasting damage over a wide area. Many trees are killed from these events and climate changes.
Logging
People who live near the forest are mainly responsible for illegal logging. The use the trees for their daily needs, without permission. Companies also are responsible for illegal logging. Because of the demands of timber, companies illegally harvest trees outside of permitted forests.
Human Expansion
Although they live simple and traditional lives, farming is how they stay alive. Nomad cultures require people to move around from areas of land to new areas of land. Whenever they settle in their new habitat, farming is needed to survive. They cut or burn down trees in order to grow crops. When they move away, they leave the deforested land destroyed and difficult to repair.
