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DTE's quarterly newsletter provides information on ecological justice in Indonesia.

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DTE publications

North Sulawesi confronts Jakarta over MSM gold mine plans

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

The Toka Tindung gold mine project is now in doubt after strong opposition to Meares Soputan Mining's plans to build an open pit gold mine in a sensitive coastal area and dump mine waste into Rinondoran Bay.

A major blow came when an environmental hearing in August 2006 forced the company to alter its plans to instead use the more expensive option of disposal of tailings on land.

Pressure mounts against EU biofuel targets

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

NGOs are campaigning against the adoption by the European Union of mandatory biofuel targets, a move that will prompt the further expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesia, more appropriation of indigenous lands, more forest loss, and, ironically, higher carbon emissions.

Hundreds of NGOs worldwide, and thousands of individuals have called on European Union (EU) politicians to say 'no' to biofuel targets when they decide on the issue in early March.

Dayak villagers succeed in fining oil palm company

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

The following account was compiled by Erma Ranik of the West Kalimantan NGO, PENA.

A palm oil company, PT Airlangga Sawit Jaya, has admitted fault and has paid compensation amounting to Rp274,366,000 (USD30,485) to the Engkadik Pade indigenous community, in Landak, West Kalimantan.

The case began in May 2006, when PT Airlangga Sawit Jaya held a meeting in Engkadik village, Serimbu subdistrict, with several local government officials.

Oil palm and the United Nations

Down to Earth No. 71, November 2006

Indigenous peoples are trying to restrict the expansion of large-scale oil palm plantations in Indonesia and other southeast Asian countries This article was written by Mina S. Setra of the West Kalimantan Indigenous Peoples' Alliance (AMA Kalbar), following her visit to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples in New York earlier this year.


This year has been important for indigenous peoples all over the world.

SBY on Indonesia's Indigenous Peoples

Down to Earth No. 71, November 2006

Indonesia's president has spoken his views on indigenous peoples in Indonesia, but will his words be translated into much-needed action?

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has called on government officials to pay more attention to indigenous people's interests when preparing development programmes.

Palm oil is not green

Down to Earth No. 71, November 2006


Plans have been shelved to use palm oil in a UK power station after campaigners highlighted the negative consequences for local communities, forests and wildlife.

IFI standards fail on indigenous rights


Down to Earth No. 70, August 2006

NGOs and indigenous peoples have called for greater attention to be paid to the impacts of lending by international financial institutions (IFIs) on indigenous rights.