JAKARTA – Environment and Forestry (LHK) Minister Siti Nurbaya has stated that deforestation data from the Global Forest Watch, which was mentioned during the latest debate of vice presidential candidates, is wrong. The minister said that after conducting an assessment, they found that the methodology used by the Global Forest Watch is illogical.

“We’ve been assessing the methodology of the much-heralded Global Forest Watch. I myself have been observing it since 2017,” Minister Siti said on the sidelines of her working visit to Pulang Pisau regency in Central Kalimantan on Wednesday (26/01/ 2024.

She said the data on millions of hectares of deforestation reported by the Global Forest Watch does not match the facts on the ground. “Global Forest Watch uses a methodology which counts every fallen tree as deforestation. Then, interpretation of data taking with the use of satellite. Using machine-based satellite, the color of dark green and rough will be interpreted as forest, but in fact it is not,” she said.

She said that they had once experienced such a case of satellite misinterpretation. On the satellite it was seen dark green, but then after checking on the ground it was apparently banana plantation.

“I learned about it, and I found that such satellite data must be checked on the ground to find out its reality,” said Siti.

“We have to see what system of evaluation they use. Each location of  transmigration houses has 3/4 hectare  planted with trees, but then why seen as  deforestation?,” she said.

Based on previous reports, the vice presidential candidate with serial number of 3, Mahfud MD said that the difference of deforestation data he revealed and the deforestation data from LHK Minister Siti Nurbaya lies in the way of reading the data.

According to Mahfud, both data he presented and presented by Siti Nurbaya are correct, but the deforestation data given by Siti Nurbaya is net deforestation data. (*)

Source: sawitku.id