Government Regulation (PP) No. 57 of 2016 — Protection and Management of Peat Ecosystems

Government Regulation (Peraturan Pemerintah, PP) No. 57 of 2016, issued by the Government of Indonesia, amends PP No. 71 of 2014 on the Protection and Management of Peat Ecosystems, in response to peatland damage caused by the 2015 forest and land fires. It binds the Minister of Environment and Forestry, governors and regents/mayors in designating protection and cultivation functions of peat ecosystems. Its impact is felt directly by oil palm plantation and vegetable oil businesses that operate or hold permits in peat areas.

Key points

• The Minister must designate at least 30% of the total area of each Peat Hydrological Unit (Kesatuan Hidrologis Gambut, KHG) as having a protection function, starting from one or more peat dome peaks.
• Outside that 30%, areas are also designated for protection if they meet any of these criteria: peat 3 metres or more thick, containing specific/endemic germplasm or protected species, or lying in protected areas/conservation forests under spatial plans.
• A change of function from cultivation to protection may be made by the Minister or proposed by governors/regents/mayors, including on grounds of ecological urgency to restore environmental damage around peat areas.
• Peat ecosystem function maps are prepared at tiered scales: no smaller than 1:250,000 at national level, and no smaller than 1:50,000 at provincial and district/city level.
• Measures to prevent peat damage include the evaluation and audit of peatland use permits, which is relevant for plantation permit holders within Peat Hydrological Units.
• Peat Ecosystem Protection and Management Plans are prepared at national, provincial and district/city levels and form part of environmental protection and management plans.

Who it affects

Oil palm plantation and vegetable oil businesses operating or holding permits in peat areas, as well as the Minister of Environment and Forestry and regional heads.