Indonesia reclaims switzerland-sized area of illegally used forest land in unprecedented crackdown

Indonesia has successfully reclaimed over 4 million hectares of forest land—an area roughly the size of Switzerland—that had been illegally converted for plantations and mining operations. This massive enforcement campaign represents the country’s most comprehensive effort to date to combat illegal activities within officially designated forest areas.

The ambitious operation is being led by a special task force established by President Prabowo Subianto in January 2025, bringing together the military, police, prosecutors, and multiple government ministries. Originally targeting just 1 million hectares for 2025, the task force has dramatically exceeded expectations, surpassing its goal by more than 400% in just ten months.

The reclaimed lands primarily consist of unauthorized oil palm plantations and mining concessions, particularly nickel and coal operations, along with encroached conservation areas including national parks and protected forests. Enforcement actions have targeted a wide range of violations, from plantations operating without proper permits to unlicensed gold mining and illegal tourism structures within protected areas.

However, the unprecedented scale of these seizures has raised important questions about the accuracy of underlying data, the actual extent of oil palm involvement, and the government’s long-term plans for the seized plantations and mining sites. While the campaign marks a significant victory for forest conservation in Indonesia—a country that has faced decades of deforestation pressure—the success of this initiative will ultimately depend on how effectively the government can manage and protect these newly reclaimed forest areas.