About Forests in Java

Java Island is the densest island in Indonesia with the largest population. The rapid population growth in the island causes the shrinking forests in Java Island. Based on the deforestation rate published by the Forestry Department for 2003 - 2006 period, the rate in the island was 2500 hectares per year or 0.2% of the total deforestation in Indonesia. We estimate that the deforestation rate for 2007 - 2010 period is 10,000 hectares per year.

The decline of forest quantity and quality becomes serious threat for the people and rare wildlife in Java Island. According to the Forestry Department's data, the biggest deforestation happens in East Java, 438.1 hectares per year comprising of 5.7% or 25.1 hectares per year of primary forests; 9.9% or 43.6 hectares per year of secondary forests; and 84.3% or 369.5 hectares per year of other types of forests.

The deforestation in Java not only does threaten the people but also the endemic wildlife. People are threatened with natural disasters like flood and landslide, while the endemic wildlife are threatened with extinction due to forest degradation, for examples the Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus), Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch), Javan surili (Presbytis comata), Javan leopard (Panthera pardus), Javan hawk-eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi) and the peafowl (Pavo muticus). These rare wildlife are threatened not only by forest degradation but also the poaching for trade.