The Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry wants to extend by two years a moratorium on granting permits to use primary forest and peatland. The moratorium, passed in 2011, was initially instituted in order to reduce carbon emissions from forest fires caused by deforestation. The government has been under pressure to address the rampant deforestation and forest fires in the country, as these lands are still being used by farmers (despite an extant moratorium) and are being drained for use as palm oil plantations. The Ministry is hopeful that the request to extend the moratorium will be approved by the presidential office. For the full story, see http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-indonesia-environment-plantings-idUKKB….