President to impose moratorium on palm oil and mining business

President Joko Widodo is set to issue a policy to impose moratorium on expansion of palm oil plantation and mining areas.

The President made the statement during an event to celebrate the International Forestry Day on Karya Island of Seribu Islands on Thursday.

He noted that the size of lands used for palm oil plantations is large enough that the government considers there isn?t any need to expand the lands. ?The existing lands, if cultivated well using rights seeds, will be able produce twice the current production volume,? he said as quoted by the Presidential Communication Team.

As for mining areas, the President said the government will never issue any permits to mining companies to expand their concessions or open new concessions. ?Mining companies will no longer be allowed to operate in conservation areas,? he said.

He noted that the world recognizes Indonesia as a country which is rich with biodiversity, the lungs of the world. The future of world environment thus depends on Indonesia?s ability to protect its environment.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon