palm oil

Prime Indonesian jungle to be cleared for palm oil

Prime Indonesian jungle to be cleared for palm oil
Fakhrurradzie Gade, Associated Press, Aceh | Fri, 12/09/2011 4:32 PM

The man known as Indonesia's "green governor" chases the roar of illegal chainsaws through plush jungles in his own Jeep. He goes door-to-door to tell families it's in their interest to keep trees standing.

That's why 5,000 villagers living the edge of a rich, biodiverse peat swamp in his tsunami-ravaged Aceh province feel so betrayed.

Letter: Oil palm plantations and orangutans

Letter: Oil palm plantations and orangutans
Mon, 01/09/2012 8:36 PM

The issues of deforestation and orangutan killings in Indonesia sparked a controversy recently. Both were linked to oil palm plantations, with some alleging that the plantations have caused deforestation and the death of orangutans in the country. The question is whether oil palm estates are really responsible for the forest destruction and the death of orangutans?