Nature's Chambers: Issue 2, 2025

Indonesia, the largest archipelago on Earth with more than 17,000 islands endowed with abundant natural resources, stands at the crossroads of development and conservation.

Every nation-state in the world aspires to be a developed (advanced), prosperous, and sovereign country.

Despite improvements in almost all aspects of human life (development sectors), since its independence on August 17, 1945, up until now Indonesia remains an upper middle-income country with a GNI (Gross National Income) per capita of US$ 5.100 in 2024. A country is categorized as a rich (high-income) country when its GNI per capita is bigger than US$ 14,001 (World Bank, 2024). In addition, Indonesia is also confronted with a high poverty rate, about 9.3 percent of the total population based upon a poverty line of IDR 582,000 (US$ 36.4) per month (Indonesian Statistics Agency, 2024). However, according to the World Bank’s poverty line in 2024 of US$ 96, Indonesian poor reached 112 million people (40 percent of the country’s population).

Indonesia, the largest archipelago on Earth with more than 17,000 islands endowed with abundant natural resources, stands at the crossroads of development and conservation.

As the nation prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2045, it must address pressing environmental challenges such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and overexploitation of resources. Since 2019 the Government of Indonesia has committed to realize Golden Indonesia (a developed, prosperous, and sovereign Indonesia) in 2045. In 2045 the country’s GDP is expected to reach US$ 7 trillion (the fifth largest in the world) with GNI per capita of about US$ 30,030 (National Agency for Development Planning, 2019). The Golden Indonesia 2045 vision demands a sustainable development framework that harmonizes economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Conservation is the backbone of sustainable economic development.

Healthy natural ecosystems including forests, lakes, rivers, savannas, mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, seas and oceans provide essential renewable natural resources (e.g., fish stocks, timber, and biotechnological materials), non-renewable resources (such as oil, gas, coal, tin, iron ores, nickel, copper, and gold), and environmental services such as clean water, fertile soil, and climate regulation, which are critical for economic development and ecological sustainability. Indonesia’s rich biodiversity also offers vast potential for eco-tourism, sustainable fisheries, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture, green economy, and blue economy, making conservation not just an ecological imperative but also an economic opportunity.

Key Conservation Strategies

Biodiversity Protection

Indonesia’s rainforests, coral reefs, and mangroves are among the most biodiverse ecosystems globally. Conservation efforts must focus on:

• Strengthening protected areas and expanding marine and terrestrial conservation zones.
• Combating illegal logging, poaching, and fishing through stricter law enforcement and community involvement.
• Promoting biodiversity-friendly agriculture to minimize habitat destruction.

Sustainable Land Use

Land use planning is critical to balancing development and conservation. Strategies include:

• Adopting agroforestry and sustainable agriculture practices to reduce deforestation.
• Encouraging urban green spaces to combat urban sprawl and enhance quality of life.
• Restoring degraded lands to boost productivity and ecological resilience.

Renewable Energy Development

Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Key actions include:

• Expanding solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and ocean energy development.
• Incentivizing investments in clean energy technologies.
• Training local communities to manage and maintain renewable energy infrastructure.
  

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Indonesia is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Conservation strategies should prioritize:

• Protecting and restoring forests, peatlands, mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs as natural carbon sinks.
• Developing climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable regions.
• Promoting sustainable water management to address water scarcity.

Community Empowerment and Participation

Communities play a vital role in conservation. Empowerment strategies include:

• Providing education and training on sustainable resource management.
• Supporting eco-friendly enterprises, such as community-based tourism, sustainable aquaculture, organic farming, and environmentally-friendly manufacturing industry.
• Encouraging public-private partnerships to fund conservation initiatives.

Aligning Conservation with Economic Goals

Achieving Golden Indonesia 2045 requires integrating conservation into national economic policies. This includes:

• Developing green economic zones to attract sustainable investments.
• Leveraging digital technology to monitor and manage natural resources.
• Mainstreaming environmental education to cultivate a culture of sustainability.

Despite its potential, Indonesia faces challenges such as policy inconsistency, lack of funding, and inadequate enforcement of environmental laws. However, opportunities abound in international partnerships, carbon trading, and leveraging Indonesia’s leadership in global climate initiatives.

Conservation strategies are integral to sustainable economic development. By protecting its natural heritage, Indonesia can ensure a thriving economy, resilient ecosystems, and improved quality of life for its citizens. With decisive action and collective effort, the dream of Golden Indonesia 2045 can become a reality.

By Prof. Dr. Rokhmin Dahuri, MSc., Indonesian Parliament Member and Former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of Indonesia

Prof. Dr. Ir. Rokhmin Dahuri is an Indonesian politician, academic, and marine and fisheries expert. He served as Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries from 2001 to 2004 under Presidents Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri. Previously, he was Director-General of Coastal and Small Islands at the ministry. Elected to the House of Representatives (DPR-RI) in 2024, Rokhmin represents West Java VIII and serves on Commission IV, overseeing agriculture, fisheries, and marine affairs. A PDIP politician, he is the party’s Head of Marine Affairs, Fisheries, and Fishermen. Beyond politics, he has held various academic and advisory roles at IPB University and leadership positions in national and international marine research networks.