The Indonesian government emphasized the importance of peatland ecosystem protection and management by issuing Regulation No. 57/2016, which amends Regulation No. 71/2014. In the amended regulation, there are additions related to planning, cross-institutional coordination, and enforcement of the peatland clearing ban.
Notable changes in Regulation No. 57/2016 are as follows:
- The Peatland Ecosystem Function map at the provincial and regency, and city levels is to be stipulated at a scale of at least 1:50,000. Previously, the map was stipulated at a scale of 1:1,000,000 in provinces and 1:50,000 in regencies and cities.
- Coordination amongst several additional ministries – including those responsible for spatial planning, water resources, and national development planning, among others – is expected.
- The land clearing ban was stipulated, prohibiting anyone from:
- Clearing peatland until protection and cultivation zoning is stipulated for select plant species,
- Construction of drainage lines, which dry out peatlands,
- Burning peatland or allowing burning to occur, and
- Other activities that damage peatlands beyond standard criteria.
- Restoration activities for devastated peatland ecosystem are detailed, with emphasis on activities to be performed by the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) through the “3Rs” method: rewetting, revegetation, and rehabilitation.
- Peatland restoration is defined as including natural succession, rehabilitation, and other methods in line with scientific and technological developments. Specifically, the following activities are stipulated as constituting restoration:
- Management of groundwater,
- Construction, operation, and maintenance work, such as the development of peatland wetting infrastructure, and/or
- Cultivation based on local knowledge.