INDONESIA IS A VAST, BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY –

AT A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT CROSSROADS

Indonesia’s 17,000 islands are home to nearly 267 million people. From these islands’
forests, farms and surrounding oceans, people receive food, a stable climate — even
joy. But Indonesia is developing very, very quickly. The country’s response to this
development will determine the fate of its abundant natural wealth — and the people
who depend on it.

Indonesia contains the most extensive standing rainforests in all of Asia, with an
estimated 94 million hectares (232 million acres) of forest cover — an area the size of
Nigeria. These trees release oxygen into the air and remove harmful particles. They
also absorb gases, like carbon dioxide, that cause changes in our climate.

Visitors from across the world flock to Indonesia to see its charismatic native species —
such as orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, whale sharks, sea turtles and
manta rays. The country’s incredible rainforests and coral reefs make it one of the top
adventure and dive destinations in the world.

Indonesia’s lands and waters make the country a major producer of foods that
Indonesians, as well as people around the world, eat every day: seafood, rice, coffee,
cocoa, cassava, peanuts and spices like nutmeg. It is also the world’s largest producer
of palm oil, an edible vegetable oil found in half of the packaged goods on supermarket
shelves.

Indonesia’s marine resources have been heavily impacted by poorly planned coastal
development, overfishing and unsustainable “fish farming” practices. These local
factors, plus the global threat of ocean acidification, has put 95% of Indonesia’s coral
reefs under serious threat — also threatening the benefits, like fish and shoreline
protection, they give to people.

Since 1990, Indonesia has lost nearly a quarter of its forests; at current rates, it could
lose all remaining forests by 2056. Many of these forests have been turned into rubber,
oil palm and pulp plantations. This economic activity provides people with short-term
income, but it also accelerates greenhouse gas emissions and harms the forests
Indonesians depend on.

Indonesia's big cities are struggling to cope with air pollution from growing numbers of
people, vehicles and construction projects. By one estimate, residents of Jakarta get
only 27 days of clean air each year. In industrial areas, unprocessed waste from
factories is sometimes dumped in rivers, causing environmental damage and creating
unhealthy living conditions.

Source: www.conservation.or

1. What is the population of Indonesia? Nearly 267 million people.

2. What is the area of Indonesia’s forest cover? 94 million hectares (323 million
acres).
3. What are the native species of Indonesian animals which are well-known
internationally? Orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, whale sharks,
sea turtles and manta rays.
4. What food ingredient made in Indonesia which supplies most of the world’s
needs? Seafood, rice, coffee, cocoa, cassava, peanuts and spices like nutmeg.
Indonesia is also the largest producer of palm oil, an edible vegetable oil found in
half of the packaged goods on supermarket shelves.
5. What are the factors which put Indonesian marine resources in danger? Poorly
planned coastal development, overfishing and unsustainable “fish farming”
practices.
6. What is the major reason for deforestation in Indonesia? Many of these forests
have been turned into rubber, oil palm and pulp plantations.
7. Each year approximately how many days Jakarta residents can enjoy clean air?
By one estimate, residents of Jakarta get only 27 days of clean air each year.