<br><br>**Title** Deadly Indonesia Floods Force Deforestation Reckoning Can New Measures Spark Lasting Change?<br><br>The devastating floods in Indonesia have led to unprecedented government action against companies accused of environmental destruction that worsened the disaster. While revoking permits and filing lawsuits may seem like a step in the right direction, experts warn that these measures alone will not solve the problem and could even make it worse.<br><br>In response to the crisis, the government has taken steps to revoke permits and file lawsuits against companies responsible for the environmental destruction. However, experts caution that these measures are only a starting point and may not address the root causes of the problem.<br><br>According to President Prabowo Subianto, deforestation and overdevelopment played a significant role in last year's flooding and landslides in Sumatra, which claimed over 1,000 lives. The removal of trees through mining, plantations, and fires has had devastating consequences, including increased risk of flooding and soil erosion.<br><br>Environmentalists have long warned about the risks of rampant deforestation, and now they fear that the current response will not address the root causes of the problem. Revoking permits is not immediately a win, says Panut Hadisiswoyo, a conservationist and orangutan specialist. The idea of revoking should be to stop the devastation, but by continuing these operations, this means industry will continue in this vulnerable area.<br><br>Conservationists have called for a moratorium on development in Batang Toru, where tapanuli orangutans suffered habitat loss and then the flood disaster. Experts estimate that nearly 60 animals may have been killed in what they describe as an extinction-level event for the species.<br><br>Deforestation has been a major issue in Sumatra, with over 4.4 million hectares of forest lost between 2001 and 2024 – an area larger than Switzerland. Much of this deforestation occurred under government permits, and it is unclear that transferring operations to the state will improve matters.<br><br>It's a concern that the state-backed takeover may not guarantee better environmental practices, and that production may be prioritized over conservation, says Amanda Hurowitz, senior director at conservation group Mighty Earth. We have yet to see any plans.<br><br>Despite the challenges ahead, experts believe that the public's rising awareness of deforestation in Indonesia could be a blessing in disguise. As the government continues to work on its response, it is crucial that they prioritize environmental recovery and remediation, rather than simply revoking permits and filing lawsuits.<br><br>**Keywords** Deforestation, Environmental Destruction, Floods, Landslides, Orangutans, Rainforest, Sumatra, Indonesia
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