Indonesia Shifts Land Restoration Beyond Tree Planting

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is shifting its land restoration strategy beyond ceremonial tree planting. The policy was announced during the 2026 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought Commemoration in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

The Indonesian Government said restoration should recover ecosystems while improving community welfare. The approach also strengthens climate resilience through long-term and sustainable land management.

Vice Minister of Forestry, Rohmat Marzuki, said degraded land remains a serious environmental challenge for Indonesia. He stressed restoration requires collaboration between government, communities, businesses, academics, and international partners.

Indonesia has rehabilitated more than two million hectares of degraded land through multi-stakeholder cooperation. The country targets restoring 12.3 million hectares of degraded land by 2040 under its Land Degradation Neutrality commitment.

Rohmat said Indonesia's new approach goes beyond planting trees alone. He explained that communities must become active partners in protecting and restoring forests.

"This is the spirit we continue to build: that land restoration is not only about planting trees, but also about fostering awareness, strengthening mutual cooperation, and ensuring that the benefits of environmental restoration can be felt directly by the community." he said.

The strategy includes forest and watershed rehabilitation, sustainable land management, and stronger disaster and climate resilience. Indonesia also promotes community empowerment alongside technological innovation to accelerate restoration efforts.

The Ministry of Forestry is expanding the use of artificial intelligence and drones for restoration activities. It also strengthens social forestry to improve livelihoods while protecting forests through sustainable community management.

These efforts support Indonesia's broader commitment to restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening environmental resilience. The government believes healthy land creates healthier ecosystems, stronger economies, and a better future for coming generations.