A catastrophe that might offer a glimpse of hope for Indonesia (commentary)
Mongabay••world
Key Points:
- In late 2025, Indonesia experienced severe floods and landslides in Sumatra and Aceh, exacerbated by deforestation and land-use changes that weakened ecosystems, leading to over 1,167 deaths and significant damage to wildlife and infrastructure.
- The rare tropical cyclone in November 2025 intensified the disaster, with degraded forests unable to absorb heavy rainfall, causing massive mudslides and timber floods that devastated communities and endangered species like Sumatran elephants and Tapanuli orangutans.
- Public awareness and discourse on deforestation and its role in these disasters increased significantly, involving not only activists but also students, academics, and political leaders, including statements from Indonesia’s Defence Minister and President emphasizing forest preservation.
- Investigations
