What effect will a moratorium have on the livelihoods of Indonesians?
As in many other forest areas around the world, local communities often get a raw deal. Many are totally dependent on the forest for everything they need to survive and although in theory indigenous people have the right to control development on their customary lands, their rights are frequently violated by the government and companies. They are often cheated out of their land, and farmers who sell their forest areas can become trapped in a cycle of debt, effectively becoming slaves on their own land. It’s also worth remembering that most players in the palm oil industry are major international companies, so the profits and associated benefits don’t filter down to the majority of Indonesians.
