Govt to study Global Forest Watch's method in recording data

We are studying the methodology in the Global Forest Watch (data) that was praised highly. I have been keeping an eye on it since 2017

Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar stated here on Wednesday that the ministry will study the methodology used by Global Forest Watch in recording Indonesia's deforestation data.

According to Bakar, Global Forest Watch's deforestation data brought up in the last vice presidential debate was wrong.

"We are studying the methodology in the Global Forest Watch (data) that was praised highly. I have been keeping an eye on it since 2017," Bakar remarked when interviewed during her working visit to Pulang Pisau District, Central Kalimantan, Wednesday.

She noted that the data, recorded by Global Forest Watch, showing millions of hectares of forests have been deforested did not match the facts on the ground.

Bakar stated that Global Forest Watch's methodology considered every tree that falls as deforestation and used satellites for data interpretation.

She explained that while using satellites, the dark green and rough color is interpreted as a forest, but it is not always the case.

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The minister pointed out that the data misinterpretation case had occurred before, as the satellite showed dark and green colors but the area was, in fact, a banana plantation.

"I am educated. (I) must check to the field," she remarked.

"We have to see first what the recording system looks like. (For instance,) transmigration house owners have 0.75 hectares of forests. Is it possible they conduct deforestation?" she stated.

Earlier, vice presidential candidate number 3 Mahfud MD remarked that the difference between the deforestation data he conveyed and the data referred by Minister Bakar was data interpretation or how to read the data.

Mahfud said, Global Forest Watch recorded the loss of forests in Indonesia over a certain period. Meanwhile, Bakar was referring to the net deforestation that is gross deforestation minus reforestation.

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