A 2017 study reported that deforestation can cause soil erosion because unprotected soil is removed by rainfall. And harvesting crops can cause soil to become denser. That can cause rain to run over the surface of the ground instead of entering underground reservoirs. The research also said that erosion can increase the amount of soil in rivers, which can increase flood risks. After the deadly floods in March, West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah said there were strong signs of illegal tree-cutting in areas affected by floods and landslides. Experts and environmental activists have pointed to deforestation worsening disasters in other areas of Indonesia as well. In Papua, deforestation was partly blamed for floods and ground landslides that killed over a hundred people in 2019.

There has been some progress. In 2018, Indonesian President Joko Widodo paused new permits for palm oil plantations for three years. And the rate of deforestation slowed between 2021 and 2022, government data showed. But experts warn that it is unlikely deforestation in Indonesia will stop anytime soon. They say this as the government continues to move forward with new mining and structural projects. President-elect Prabowo Subianto is set to take office in October. He has promised to continue Widodos policy of development. The development policy includes mining and other projects that are all linked to deforestation. Activists also warn that environmental protections in Indonesia are weakening. That includes a new law that removes an article of the law to protect part of the forests from development.

Arie Rompas is an Indonesia-based forestry expert at Greenpeace, an environment protection organization. He said, The removal of that article makes us very worried (about deforestation) for the years to come. reap v. to get (something, such as a reward) as a result of something that you have done ecology n. a science that deals with the relationships between groups of living things and their environments reserve n. a supply of something that is stored so that it can be used at a later time fossil fuels n. a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) that is formed in the earth from dead plants or animals sustainability adj. involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources erosion n. the gradual destruction of something by natural forces (such as water, wind, or ice)