Indonesian enviros wary of government geothermal plans in protected forests
Environmental activists are wary that their support for building geothermal plants in protected forests will be an excuse for the government to allow companies to operate mines in the areas.
The concerns were raised following the passing of new regulation allowing underground mining in protected forests. Activists say geothermal plants pose different environmental impacts from mining and that the government should draw a clear distinction.
WWF Indonesia climate policy coordinator Ari Muhammad said allowing mining in protected areas would only accelerate already high levels of deforestation in Indonesia, which runs counter to the government’s pledge to voluntarily reduce emissions to combat climate change.