Indonesia Establishes New Peatland Agency Amid Questions Over Impact

The Indonesian government has set up a new agency, the National Peatland and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN), to restore peatlands following the most devastating land and forest fires since 2015. The agency will report directly to the president and be staffed by scientists and professionals. However, some observers question the need for a new agency, given the previous Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) was shuttered in December 2024 after nearly a decade of operation. Environmental advocacy group Walhi has called for the BPGMN to have a clear mandate, authority, and success indicators to ensure effective governance. The new agency's impact remains uncertain, with some wondering what it will do differently from its predecessor.