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Moratorium unlocked to return palm oil concession to national park
The relatively intact peat forests in the palm oil concession ideally need to be maintained so that they remain connected to the Sebangau National Park's peat forest landscape which is home to between 6,000 and 9,000 Bornean orangutans.
Minister highlights growth in Sumatran tiger population
In her speech at the Opening Session of the 9th Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity in Norway, Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, among other things, raised the issue of the increasing population of Sumatran tigers...
Photos display Batang Toru dam construction progress
"Our minister has repeatedly stressed that the monitoring process must continue on the ground as there is no compromise when it comes to the potential extinction of the Tapanuli orangutan."
Minister details permanent moratorium on primary forest, peat
Minister Nurbaya pointed out that the efforts to make this permanent moratorium - which covers in excess of 66 million hectares, equivalent to more than 21 times the size of Belgium - possible are an example of President Jokowi's strong commitment to forest and peat protection.
Indonesia, global superpower for Bornean orangutans
When it comes to ensuring that the critically-endangered Bornean orangutan doesn't face extinction, Indonesia undeniably remains a global superpower, as evidenced by the case of Sebangau National Park.
Govt ramps up efforts to protect Tapanuli orangutans
Indonesian Ministry of the Environment and Forestry sent an official letter to the North Sumatra Environment Agency detailing new directions derived from a ground-based verification undertaken in April 2019.
Orangutan forest update relevant to Greenpeace
This update will certainly be of great relevance to Greenpeace which campaigned against illegal logging in the MPK logging concession around WED 2018, as the NGO considered this a major threat to the survival of...
Over 1000 orangutans remain ahead of World Environment Day
It is our expectation, of course, that by the time World Environment Day is celebrated in a few days' time (Jun 5), nothing will have happened to threaten the more than one thousand Bornean orangutans living in the MPK logging concession.
Govt efforts dramatically reduce haze in last three years
The scale of peat fires in Indonesia has been reduced dramatically, by more than 90%, over the past three years compared to the catastrophic level of peat fires in 2015. This represents a real achievement of the leadership of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
Tapanuli orangutan not a legal monitoring parameter
Bank of China must be aware that the legal document used as the basis for environmental monitoring (RPL) by PT NSHE, the Batang Toru hydroelectric project developer, does not include any monitoring whatsoever of the Tapanuli orangutans.
Batang Toru dam project review results eagerly awaited
Bank of China, in its capacity as the hydroelectric project's source of funding, needs to address the minister's letter to PT NSHE which proves that the project's AMDAL document affords no comprehensive protection to the Tapanuli orangutans and their habitat.
Evidence complements ministerial letter to WWF company
These illegal logging operations in the habitat of the Sumatran tiger habitat within the boundary of the second block of the PT ABT concession were happening while this part of the concession was yet to be covered in the company's 10-year work plan.
Govt considers sanctioning WWF-controlled company
"This objective (of acting as a buffer zone) has obviously been hard to achieve effectively seeing that PT ABT has yet to revise its 10-year work plan and hasn't completed its annual work plans..."
Causes of land cover changes in orangutan stronghold discovered
The Indonesian Ministry of the Environment and Forestry has completed its ground-based assessment concerning minor land cover changes in a logging concession (PT MPK) which constitutes a major part of the Sungai Putri landscape...
Orangutans still at home in Sungai Putri landscape
This is thanks to the fact that the majority of the concession's land cover at present still consists of relatively intact peat forests, accounting for the equivalent of 30 thousand football fields, or more than 80% of the total concession...
Peat domes to sugarcane -- major supply chains linked
A sugarcane plantation complex incorporating extensive peat protection zones (peat domes) lying in one of Indonesia's peat restoration priority regencies has been under continuous development by a joint venture company...
Ministry cancels one-day old agreement with WWF
The revoked agreement covered the working area of the ministry's Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency, spanning the equivalent of more than 7.6 million football fields spread across one city and 9 regencies in the province of Papua.
Palm oil expansion goes on, review crucial
The evaluation of permits for existing concessions in areas with good forest cover is one of the instruments of the President's palm oil moratorium. However, the longer it takes for such evaluations to be performed...
Palm oil moratorium puts spotlight on existing permit
"The sold GenP concession is one of the existing palm oil concessions that technically meets the criteria to be evaluated, with reference to the content of the President's palm oil expansion moratorium."
New photos show Tapanuli orangutans on the move
Two Tapanuli orangutans that fled about 7 kilometers from the site of an ongoing hydroelectric power plant project in North Sumatra's Batang Toru Ecosystem have been successfully photographed by...
Greenpeace report exposes impact of permits from SBY regime
A review confirms that nearly 100% of the deforestation and peat ecosystem destruction in Papua and West Papua provinces is due to permits granted by the forestry ministry during the decade-long SBY administration (2004-2014).
Minister underlines key points of new palm oil moratorium
"The ongoing clearing of good forest cover to make way for the development of new palm oil plantations, especially over the last four years, has almost exclusively taken place in concessions whose permits were granted by the SBY..."
Order delivered to ensure no extinction of Tapanuli Orangutan
"Our minister's order, which is clear and non-negotiable, states that the Tapanuli orangutans in the Batang Toru Ecosystem must never be allowed to become extinct."
Batang Toru hydroelectric project subject to continuous monitoring
"Unless the Batang Toru Ecosystem is protected, the hydroelectric power project is not going to go forward as expected by the company. This is because the operations involved are very dependent on the area's water catchment level..."
Fire spot in Sungai Putri logging concession put out
Using NASA Active Fire Data (MODIS), a single fire spot has been detected in the logging concession PT MPK which is situated in West Kalimantan's Ketapang regency and forms a habitat for the critically-endangered Bornean orangutan...
MoEF declares Laman Mining as a corporate suspect
"Yes, I have received a report from my Law Enforcement Director General stating that PT Laman Mining has been announced as a corporate suspect. I have been observing this case closely since May (this year)..."
Sanction put in place against Saratoga palm oil company
A strict sanction has been imposed on PT Surya Panen Subur (SPS-2), a palm oil company whose concession lies in part of the Leuser Ecosystem, following an instruction from Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya...
Minister sanctions palm oil company in Leuser Ecosystem
Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya has decided to impose a strict sanction on PT Surya Panen Subur (SPS-2) - which operates in the Tripa peat swamps, part of the Leuser Ecosystem...
Govt sends letter asking WRI to correct false GFW data
"Spatial analysis is part of my field of expertise. It is clearly harmful to use misleading spatial data to profile a country. In fact, this is a totally irresponsible move on the part of the WRI."
Freeport disregards former President Megawati's order
Freeport's perpetual violations over many years, by conducting operations in protection forests without a permit, should be one of the key concerns to emerge from the recent signing of a heads of agreement concerning...
Freeport sanction still valid despite heads of agreement
A strict environmental sanction imposed on Freeport by the Indonesian Ministry of the Environment and Forestry last year remains valid and has not been lifted following the recent signing of a heads of agreement...
Minister confirms GFW map inaccuracies, WRI promises corrections
"The WRI has used highly inaccurate data derived from GFW, which proved to be unsupported by ground-checks. It has then gone on to profile Indonesia as the third biggest country in terms of tropical tree cover loss..."
Decision taken by peat agency over MoU with RSPO
A review conducted by the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency (BRG) concerning an MoU it signed with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has resulted in a decision to put this MoU on hold...
Peat agency signs MoU with RSPO, deprioritizing ISPO
...the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency (BRG) signed an MoU with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in a move that undermines the President's directive. In doing this, the peat agency has neglected...
Certain companies yet to submit peat recovery documents
For palm oil business groups controlling certain companies which have yet to prepare and submit peat recovery legal documents to the ministry, this is tantamount to their sustainability policy not meeting the standards...
RSPO, TFT members still sourcing from peat burner
...there is still time to see how the RSPO and TFT members react in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict. Their decisions could act as a key lesson learned with respect to their efforts to clean up their supply chains.
Serious dataset errors undermine claim of support from Norway
The ministry reaffirmed that among the approved peat recovery legal documents for almost 300 forestry and palm oil concessions, there were none at all that use datasets derived from the Norwegian-funded LiDAR mapping.
Indonesian authorities refute Greenpeace orangutan claim
"Unsurprisingly, Greenpeace chose not to mention in its press release how many hectares have been affected by illegal logging in the PT MPK concession, seeing that this number is actually very small..."
Govt approves company's new work plan, peat forest draining stopped
"The still predominant peat forests spread within the peat protection zone in PT MSL's concession which have not yet been developed, may in fact no longer be developed into new acacia plantations."
Minister brands EU palm oil phase-out deal a misstep
"The phasing-out of palm oil in order to meet the EU's renewable energy target, despite being pushed back to 2030, is clearly a misplaced move which also sends a bad signal to many other sectors in the world economy."
Company seen doing nothing to end Leuser peat violations
The ministry's initial legally-based ground investigation concluded that there are strong indications that the palm oil company PT SPS-2 has done nothing to prevent peat violations occurring in its concession.
Greenpeace remains quiet about new peat ecosystem drainage
It should be equally relevant for Greenpeace to disclose the new peat ecosystem drainage practices carried out by a company controlled by APP in its South Sumatra pulpwood concession.
Minister takes next move to stop peat violations in Leuser
"The primary instruction from our minister is to take immediate law enforcement measures. This is the second layer after the first layer has already been done by her writing to the Aceh governor requesting that the peat violations be stopped."
Investigation provides Bornean orangutan landscape update
The on-site monitoring reinforces the findings of the ministry report, in that no new canal development was discovered, in particular that which destroys peat forests as was previously done by the company...
Peat agency calls for APP immediate restoration measures
"The peat ecosystem development (in the PT BMH concession), in particular the construction of new canals resulting in the drainage of the peat ecosystem, must be stopped without delay."
More photos display violations by palm oil company
Aceh governor Irwandi Yusuf has been asked to immediately terminate the ongoing operations of PT Kallista Alam. These operations involve peat violations, in the form of the construction of kilometers of new canals...
Violations by companies in Tripa peat swamps exposed
Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya has presented evidence that two palm oil companies have committed recent peat violations in the Tripa peat swamp forest landscape...
Minister intensifies crackdown on illicit practices in Leuser reserve
"I have written to the Governor of Aceh requesting him to enhance the supervision of local officials who are implicated in encroachment and illegal logging in parts of the wildlife reserve."
Minister highlights lack of substance in biased news report
...the message to the global public conveyed by the Reuters news report is not only technically and legally fragmented but also disregards ongoing efforts on the part of President Joko Widodo's administration...
Photos portray latest situation in Sungai Putri landscape
The prevention of the clearing of the logging concession's peat forests, and the reason why these forests remain relatively intact, is thanks to a newly-revised government regulation signed by President Joko Widodo...
RAN reacts strongly to palm oil company initiative
"PT ABN's latest comments about the need to restore the home range of the local herd of elephants is a position that the company needed to hold in June 2016 when it accelerated deforestation instead of halting clearance..."
USD21.7 million channeled to governors for peat restoration
The Indonesian Ministry of the Environment and Forestry has channeled more than USD21.71 million in state funds to the seven governors whose provinces are designated as peat restoration priority provinces.
Aerial photos confirm misleading nature of WRI-coordinated mapping
It is not surprising that the LiDAR mapping team, under the coordination of the WRI as well as under the advisory of the Indonesian Peat Agency (BRG) and funded by the Norwegian government, recently produced a misleading...
New work plan of APRIL's largest supplier approved
After having a strict sanction imposed on it for carrying out peat violations in late December last year, PT SRL, APRIL's largest acacia supplier, finally had its revised work plan officially approved...
33% of new palm oil concessions made up of peat ecosystems
Measuring in total the equivalent of 58 thousand soccer fields, 33% of these three new palm oil concessions consists of peat ecosystems, according to the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry's peat ecosystem map.
Four new palm oil permits issued across Papua region
...in the event that a legal basis underpinning the palm oil expansion moratorium is issued, concessions which consist of good forest cover - whether from new palm oil permits or old ones - would remain objects for evaluation.
Still only 40% of pulpwood companies have work plans approved
The 33 pulpwood companies whose work plans have been approved still only make up around 40% of the 87 companies required to revise their work plans to be brought into alignment with the new peat regulations.
USD43 million of peat agency budget unspent
The Indonesian peat agency (BRG) has revealed itself to be unable use up this allocated state funds, with an unspent budget of roughly USD43 million representing a sizeable amount of money.
APRIL's work plan approved after alignment with new peat regulations
"After going through a very strict process, especially after the Jakarta State Court decision, the new work plan of PT RAPP was finally approved this week. Its substance is now aligned with the new peat regulations."
Peat agency to fix LiDAR-based land cover misclassification
"Adjustments to the legends of the LiDAR-based land cover classifications will be made immediately by referring to legal maps of the expanse of 2015's burned peat areas."
APRIL submits proposed new work plan, gaps still exist
"In some parts of PT RAPP's proposed revised work plan content, progress can be seen. However, some other parts still need specific corrections, both legally and technically."
APRIL taught legal lesson by court defeat
At the conclusion of the court case, the sitting judges rejected the three requests in the APRIL company's petition, all of which were related to APRIL's opposition to the minister's move to accelerate the approval of a new work plan...
Peat agency's letter contradicts legal facts signed by President
In fact, the land cover classification in the WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping directly contradicts the explanatory section of the newly-revised government regulation on peat protection and management, which was signed by President Joko Widodo...
Ninth letter sent to speed up APRIL's work plan approval
The minister's letter is the ninth such letter addressed to the APRIL company since May, all of which have been related to the ministry's efforts to ensure the APRIL company's 2017-2026 work plan is properly aligned with the new peat regulations....
APRIL's largest supplier still committing peat violations
A ground-based inspection carried out by the ministry proved APRIL's largest supplier's practice of buying time by revealing how the company is still operating without a peat recovery plan...
WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping disregards new peat regulations
...The land cover classification derived from the WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping essentially eliminates any ecological urgency for efforts aimed at the recovery of 2015's burned peat areas.
Sanction against Chevron for environmental violations maintained
"The strict sanction against Chevron was intended to ensure that its operations are at a level of full legal compliance. This forms part of the ministry's efforts to make sure the corporate sector is operating on the right legal track."
Minister cracks down on Freeport for environmental violations
"Freeport has been proven to have committed six categories of environmental violations, encompassing 48 separate items of violation. I have reported this to the President and he gave a clear order saying that Freeport must meet the terms of legal compliance."
Ground-check proves errors in WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping
These ground-check findings prove that a detailed analysis based on LiDAR mapping funded by the Norwegian government and under the coordination of the World Resources Institute (WRI) is both legally and technically erroneous.
Zero evidence of burned peat in Padang Sugihan questionable
The classification of almost all of 2015's burned peat areas in the Padang Sugihan Wildlife Reserve as secondary peat swamp forests, of even a high and medium density, by the WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping team plainly represents an example of biased land cover classification evidence.
Minister emphasizes necessity of unbiased LiDAR mapping
The Environment and Forestry Minister cautioned that any mapping tool, whatever its name and including LiDAR, should still refer to land cover changes on a time-series basis while also encompassing a review of the government's legally-defined historical evidence.
Google Earth images reveal flawed WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping
The WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping - now proven to have significantly trivialized the magnitude of 2015's burned peat areas - is plainly at odds with the President's main reason for forming the peat agency.
LiDAR analysis blunder viewable from trans-Kalimantan highway
In fact, the blunder made in classifying vegetation as a result of the LiDAR mapping, whose implementation was coordinated by the WRI, can be seen from the side of the trans-Kalimantan highway...
New evidence reinforces inaccuracy of WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping
The new evidence confirms that the WRI-coordinated LiDAR mapping in Pulang Pisau regency involved serious errors, chiefly by ignoring evidence of 2015's burned peat forests...
Majority of peat restoration funds still unused
Regardless of the various claims made about its performance accomplishments, the facts show that the actual performance of the Indonesian Peat Agency (BRG), as of mid-November this year, remained very poor...
Peat agency LiDAR mapping omits evidence of burned peat forests
A Norwegian-funded LiDAR mapping initiative, whose implementation was coordinated by the WRI with the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency (BRG) as the main user of the maps it produced, led to a detailed but misleading analysis...
Norwegian embassy implicitly confirms Cargill concession lies in peatlands
The use of the term 'detailed peat maps' implies that all the areas covered by the peat agency's LiDAR mapping - whose financing is supported by the Norwegian government - are indeed composed of peat.
Govt shares photos of Cargill's new plantations in peat ecosystem
"We are studying the Cargill company's peat recovery plan. (However) it is not legally relevant for the company to claim that its concession is not composed of peat at the current stage."
Cargill develops new plantations in peat ecosystem complex
Cargill palm oil company, PT Hindoli, has been proven to have developed new palm oil plantations, in particular before its concession was incorporated into the peat ecosystem map legally established by Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya...
Six APRIL suppliers now given warning letters
"Peat recovery has a legally clear mandate, so there is no reason to disrupt it or for it to be disrupted. We'll keep going ahead with this."
Minister indicates dishonesty of APRIL's management
"I indicated very clearly that there were signs of dishonesty from APRIL's management. There is a tendency from APRIL to manipulate information, including information given to the Vice President..."
Five more APP companies have work plans approved
Another five pulpwood companies which form part of the supply chains of APP - one of world's largest pulp and paper players - have obtained approval for their revised work plans from the Indonesian authorities...
Authorities send forceful warning letters to two APRIL suppliers
"We at the ministry continue to make sure that pulpwood and palm oil companies, including APRIL and its suppliers, have legally-approved peat recovery plans in place. Those companies which fail to comply will of course have strong and measurable sanctions imposed on them."
Link between children's education and acacia planting exposed
"We want businesses to have a responsible attitude towards children's education. They shouldn't just be thinking about how many hectares of new acacia have been planted while they ignore the educational fate of the children..."
APRIL loses legal basis for operations due to non-compliance
...PT RAPP, a Singapore-based pulp and paper company belonging to APRIL, has ultimately had its existing 10-year work plan, along with its 2017 annual work plan, declared invalid as a legal basis for its on-the-ground operational activities.
APP companies show compliance, get work plans approved
"I have already reported this update to the President, and his support remains firm when it comes to continuing with the implementation of an improved peat governance policy."
Govt: Full compliance still required from MPK logging company
"Nothing has changed. Our ministry continues to require full legal compliance from PT MPK in a consistent manner, due to the administrative sanction imposed on the company."
Peat agency LiDAR mapping covers US company concession
"The peat agency needs to explain to the public why the Cargill concession is part of its LiDAR mapping, whereas APP-controlled concessions which were extensively burned in 2015 have not been prioritized."
BGA confirms no new peat planting in orangutan habitat
"BGA can confirm that it will not be undertaking new peat planting for new palm oil plantations in the PT DAS concession, either in peat protection or cultivation zones."
Peat agency gets 'bonus' from budget cut
Basically, the peat agency actually benefits from the budget cut from the perspective of its budget absorption level. The argument is that without the budget cut, the peat agency would only have spent 2.93% of its budget...
Govt rejects company's request to resume clearing home of orangutan
In its letter of rejection, the ministry clearly stated that the newly-revised government regulation on peat protection and management explicitly prohibits any new canal development which causes peat to dry.
Largest US corporation complies with Indonesian peat governance
"The Cargill palm oil company has submitted its peat recovery plan document to the ministry, as have some other Singapore and Malaysian-based companies such as GAR, RGE and IOI."
APP's business transformation not substantial, monitoring finds
"APP has clearly committed a grave violation. They have been proven to be replanting acacia in these peat areas which they have admitted themselves to be legally-recognized peat domes (HCV areas)..."
APRIL remains in breach of toxic waste handling rules
"The administrative sanction imposed on the APRIL company has not been lifted because the results of our supervision indicate that the company is still not yet in compliance."
Sime Darby company's operations suspended due to illegal practices
"The actions of PT ISLM (the Sime Darby company) constitute a serious legal violation because illegal (forest) clearance outside of its concession is clearly not aligned with..."
Minister finds lack of seriousness from APP in peat governance
"APP clearly lacks seriousness in implementing the new peat regulations. It turns out that the proposed 10-year work plans of the APP companies in Riau and South Sumatra provinces contain copy-paste documents."
Global campaigner urges corporations to start monitoring with ministry
"Peat monitoring, including the continuing law enforcement actions by the ministry, needs to be appreciated. These are great efforts which most certainly send an extremely good signal to the international community..."
Minister reaffirms APRIL not aligned with peat governance
"There will be no compromises for pulp and paper giants such as APRIL when it comes to compliance with the implementation of peat governance. It's now or never. That's the message from our minister."
World's largest palm oil trader's supply chains linked to peat violations
In the case of Wilmar, the ministry's findings could be used by stakeholders to illustrate that the company's supply chains remain linked to deforestation, new peat development, and the destruction of the Bornean orangutan's habitat.
Minister presents photos of peat violations in palm oil concession
"Law enforcement measures are being taken against the peat violations committed by the palm oil company seeing that they clearly contravene the newly-revised peat regulation signed by President Joko Widodo..."
Pulp & paper industry not to lack fiber supply in next five years
"However, within the next five years, the Indonesian pulp and paper industry will not endure a fiber supply shortage as harvesting in acacia-planted peat domes is still allowed. What is prohibited is replanting in peat domes..."
CAA palm oil company keeps expanding with peat violations
"I have instructed my law enforcement team to carry out an on-the-ground check as well as to take any necessary legal action against the palm oil company (PT AGL)."
Peat agency's budget absorption level at 1.2% by mid-year 2017
The acceleration of peat restoration has undoubtedly been affected by the peat agency's extremely low budget absorption level, particularly this year. The adverse effects of this situation...
No room for palm oil, mining expansion as Irwandi returns as Aceh Governor
...Irwandi of course needs to continue enforcing the moratorium imposed by his predecessor, and refrain from issuing any palm oil or mining permits as he did during his first term.
APRIL company's legal document reinforces peat protection zones
In the legal document submitted to the ministry by the APRIL company, it is revealed that 70% of the Pelalawan estate is made up of deep-lying peat - which also usually constitutes peat domes...
Minister urges corrective action from companies in peat governance
"Concrete corrective action from forestry and palm oil companies is essential. Don't bother giving solutions to the government which, in essence, only seek to sustain business-as-usual practices."
Decision on LiDAR mapping locations made solely by peat agency
How is it possible then for the peat agency to have compared the accuracy of its LiDAR data with, for example, the LiDAR data of pulpwood concessions under the control of APP...
NGO questions peat agency's approach in light of LiDAR mapping
"The peat agency's LiDAR mapping should really cover those concessions whose peatlands were extensively burned in 2015, amounting to hundreds of thousands of hectares, most notably pulpwood concessions under the control of APP."
Fire ravaged forestry concessions not covered by LiDAR mapping
The failure of the peat agency's LiDAR mapping to cover forestry concessions seriously damaged by 2015's peat fires means that the peat agency is unable to play any role whatsoever...
Ground inspection reveals APRIL fulfilling peat violation sanctions
"Of course we are appreciative of the compliance displayed by PT RAPP. They are a big corporation so they should be showing compliance and should not repeat any new peat violations."
Fires hit Leuser Ecosystem's Tripa peat swamp
"At the location, the ministry team is taking appropriate law enforcement measures, including asking PT CA for clarification about the peat fires in its concession for the development of new palm oil plantations."
APP's new canal development proposal seen as strange by Govt
"On one hand they are saying that the operations will refer to APP's FCP, while on the other hand they are proposing that the ministry authorize the construction of new canals in peatlands..."
Indonesia unmoved by US decision to withdraw from Paris Agreement
"The Indonesian government is sticking to the Paris Climate Agreement. Indonesia does not rely on the level of commitment from any other countries, including the US."
Indonesian authorities conclude Sime Darby has committed violations
The Indonesian forestry authorities uncovered these violations after conducting a ground-check of two different locations in the Sime Darby rubber concession located in the Sumatra's Belitung island.
Minister details role of peat governance in Indonesian GDP
"The ultimate goal of these peat governance efforts is to bring about healthy and good-quality economic growth, as opposed to economic growth tainted by peat fires which cause public health problems and disturb other economic sectors."
LiDAR mapping confirms APRIL concession lies in deep peat
"Major parts of the APRIL concession on Pulau Padang are situated in deep-lying peat. The majority of peat in the concession ranges from more than 5 meters up to 10 meters in depth."
FSC warned to respect Indonesia's new peat regulations
"The FSC should not end its dissociation with APP until this giant corporation complies with Indonesia's new peat regulations, especially with regard to its operations in peatlands that have been designated as protection zones."
Greenpeace comments on new canals built by APP companies
"The last evaluation of APP's progress showed that there were still many problems and issues for APP in delivering its commitments."
APP builds new canals the length of Bonn to Brussels
"Three APP companies in South Sumatra province have reported to the ministry through their annual reports, replete with maps, that they constructed around 200km of new canals in 2015-2016."
Verification proves paper giant company developed new canals
"The two coordinate points used by APP company in its letter have been found to be wrong. As such, the company's clarification is inconsistent with the facts on the ground."
VIDEO CLIP: Environmental activist releases new single for forests
"The initiative for the song came after the declaration of the moratorium on the expansion of palm oil and mining in the Leuser Ecosystem. To be precise, it was three days after President Jokowi announced the moratorium in mid-April last year."
Minister reaffirms backing from President on peat reforms
"President Jokowi explained that environmental and economic interests have clashed for ages, to the extent that the government felt it necessary to try and improve peat governance. This commitment has not changed."
APRIL keeps option of plantation development in peatlands on the table
"New development in peatlands - in this case a new acacia plantation - regardless of whether forested or non-forested, is no longer allowed, especially since the release of the recently-revised government regulation."
Peat agency to revise roadmap by incorporating new peat regulations
"We should be grateful that Indonesia has this recently-revised peat regulation, as it forms the backbone for peat restoration and protection, in the interests of both the public and business..."
Early indications show APRIL to be compliant with sanctions
"Major business groups like APRIL and APP should be the leaders of business transformation, not involved in peat violations."
Pulp giant delivers progress report to ministry on waste removal
"The APP company has given us a progress report, which includes photos of their handling of this waste. The photos they submitted show that these huge stacks of waste have been cleaned up."
Stakeholders told about mistakenly-uploaded peat restoration roadmap
It is crucial for the (real) roadmap document to be made available so as to give all relevant stakeholders some insight into the peat agency's restoration plans for 2016 to 2020.
Legal measures taken against palm oil company fragmenting peat forests
"There needs to be a common understanding that any party committing peat violations will find no defense or compromise from the President Joko Widodo administration..."
Ministry regrets baseless claim about unannounced inspection
"I have absolutely no knowledge of the report on PT MPK. Indeed, I've never even seen it or met with them to discuss any such report. The statement in the press release is really just an empty claim."
Minister decides to review logging permit in Bornean orangutan habitat
"As a legal consequence of the designation of the majority of the PT MPK logging concession as peat protection zones, the permit granted to the company needs to be reviewed."
Acacia removed in Kampar Peninsula after inaction by pulp giant
"Don't even try to commit any peat violations. Also, don't expect any tolerance from the ministry. There will be absolutely no room for compromise in this matter."
Minister stops peat violations in Bornean orangutan habitat
"I have already ordered an end to PT MPK's operations due to its peat violations. We are currently investigating this case."
Sanction imposed on APRIL for 2016 peat fires yet to be lifted
"This sanction is still in force and has yet to be lifted. There is still one more condition that has yet to be met by PT RAPP."
Astra retains link to supplier with 'busy years ahead' clearing Papua's forest
"Astra's failure to implement its own policy is unacceptable and demonstrates that nice policies are not enough."
Lesson learned report needed from GAR despite constructive response
"We do agree that lessons need to be learned from the experiences of GAR, and other companies, in terms of how best to achieve a balance between economic growth and..."
Independent audit essential to learn truth about loss of HCS forest, says NGO
Almost all of the forest stratified as high carbon stock (HCS forest) which predominates in a palm oil concession block belonging to PT PIP, a subsidiary of Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), has been lost...
Caught red-handed, APP company orders an end to burned peat replanting
When this important finding was uncovered, a top executive of PT BAP who was present at the scene immediately ordered his team to stop the development of the burned peat...
Most NGOs react strongly to poor level of paper giant's legal compliance
"The mere fact that there were massive peat fires in 2015 in APP concessions indicates the failure of the FCP. Moreover, the replanting of burned peat shows that APP's FCP actually involves..."
Minister gets tough on implementing President's peat regulatory reforms
"Any feedback and perspectives that do not support peat regulatory reforms and are geared towards returning to a regime of business-as-usual practices have been rejected out of hand."
Giant pulp mill caught red-handed committing waste management violations
"APP is a big name, but even its management of waste does not conform to legal standards. All this piled-up garbage has been thrown away in peatlands. This is a clear violation."
Hard evidence exposes manipulation of pulp giant's company letter
"Just imagine if the ministry hadn't checked the location? The ministry would have merely received the letter from the top PT BAP executive whose contents don't match the facts on the ground."
Symbolic removal of acacia marks new era of peat-related law enforcement
"This was not a sudden move on the ministry's part. In fact, we gave the company two whole months to comply with our minister's order. However, they never took any real action."
NGO coalition raises concerns about bureaucracy, ministry responds with evidence
...any pertinent concerns about the acceleration of peat restoration should be directed at those behind the delay in the completion of the peat restoration plan.
Pulp giant company returns permit after uncontrolled peat fires exposed
"Did APP simply return the permit and afterwards neglect any responsibility it has towards peat restoration after the peat fires in the PT BMH concession?"
Second video reemphasizes untrue claims unhelpful in preventing peat fires
This second video from the ministry indicates that no real peat restoration interventions on the ground were undertaken by the peat agency over the course of last year in 2015's burned peatland areas.
Peat agency falls short of professional standards by failing to cite key data source
"The peat agency needs to be fair and honest. It is obligatory for data sources to be provided, no matter what the publication, both in a legal sense and in terms of the principles of good governance."
Photos of 2015's burned peat in pulp giant concessions reinforce President's warning
President Joko Widodo emphasized that when it comes to law enforcement, there is absolutely no room for compromise on issues related to forest and land fires.
Video reveals threat of peat fires from targeted peat restoration areas
"The ground checks conducted by the ministry were intended to confirm the level of peat restoration interventions claimed by the peat agency in anticipation of peat fires in 2017..."
Environmental NGOs call on APP not to continue operations in drained peatlands
Mainly due to 2015's catastrophic fires, which largely derived from pulpwood concessions belonging to APP, a lot of pressure has been put on this pulp & paper company, including from environmental NGOs.
Govt cracks down on five more APP peat violators, bringing total to eight
The total number of APP companies ordered to remove all their newly-replanted acacia by the Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Minister, due to peat violations they have committed, now stands at eight.
Ministry criticizes peat agency's misleading claims of 'peat restoration interventions'
"Don't give the wrong signals to the public. The peat agency should remember that it doesn't need to show off by polishing its performance over 2016."
Peat agency delivers zero action in hardest-hit concession, videos show
"...If PT BAP's concession, which contains the greatest area of burned peatlands, has been found not to have been touched for restoration by the peat agency, what about all the others?"
Benchmarks to evaluate peat agency's performance defined
"Given that the annual peat restoration target in 2016 is unavailable, the evaluation instead focused on how many hectares have already been restored by the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency..."
2016's peat restoration efforts leave critical lessons learned
"Legally speaking, it has been very difficult to measure the peat agency's performance this year, given that the legal documents for the 2016-2020 peat restoration plan have not been finalized by the agency."
Ground level facts at odds with APP company's letter of request to ministry
The ground inspection revealed the facts to be completely different to what was mentioned in the APP's letter of request, in that burned peatlands had already been cleared and replanted with acacia.
Customary forest within pulp giant concession granted to indigenous group
"We have got the ball rolling in terms of recognizing customary forests by starting with these nine customary forests which cover an area of over 13 thousand hectares...," said the President.
Govt rejects Singapore-based company's proposals on peat violations
"The findings of the legal analysis and ground checks performed by the ministry clearly prove that PT RAPP has perpetrated peat violations. As such, we rejected the APRIL company's proposals."
Pulp giant replanting burned peat must face full force of law, urges frontline alliance
"We really hope that the APP companies exploiting last year's burned peatlands face the full force of the law, both administrative and civil as well as criminal."
Ministry official refutes report alleging burned peat replanting authorized
"I need to emphasize that what has been reported by mongabay.com is legally and technically incorrect. The reporting by mongabay.com is not based on the letter that I sent to the APP companies concerned."
CSOs back govt's law enforcement efforts against APP's peat violations
Indonesia's Minister of the Environment and Forestry has ordered three APP companies operating in OKI regency in South Sumatra province to remove all the acacia planted in last year's burned peatlands...
Govt indicates giant agribusiness group linked to illegal peat exploitation
There are indications that the supply chain of Asia's leading agribusiness group is involved in illegal peat exploitation in state forest areas by developing new palm oil plantations.
Outgoing ambassador impressed by Jokowi's climate change efforts
"The Jokowi administration has really impressed not only me but, I think, the world with its efforts at reform. I think the Jokowi administration with the President and Ibu Siti in front have made this..."
Two prominent NGOs disengage from APRIL's Stakeholder Advisory Committee
Two key stakeholders of APRIL's Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC), Greenpeace and the WWF, have announced that they are suspending their engagement with the committee...
No peat restoration efforts across APP's supply chain, concludes ministry's monitoring
"As of early December this year, the ministry's monitoring has led to the conclusion that no peat restoration efforts have been carried out in APP's pulpwood concessions."
Govt punishes APRIL's business-as-usual practices in peatlands
"The new pulpwood plantation being developed must be restored. This is the responsibility of the company. A letter to this effect will be sent tomorrow to the owner of APRIL."
Minister highlights key points of revised peat regulation
Minister Siti Nurbaya said that the key feature of the revised peat regulation is the imposition of a moratorium on any new land clearing in peatlands...
President signs revised peat regulation, ending business-as-usual practices
"We should be extremely grateful for President Joko Widodo's leadership in terms of peatland protection which has been nothing short of extraordinary..."
Top officials investigate extent of palm oil company's peatland violations
Two director generals of the ministry concluded from the results of the field investigation that PT DGS, a subsidiary of TBLA, has failed to comply legally with the terms of its permit...
Listed company develops new palm oil plantation in last year's burned peatlands
"Following these findings, the ministry has taken the decision that the company must immediately stop the development of canals. We are in the process of putting this decision into effect..."
Govt doing commendable job in protecting Leuser Ecosystem, according to acclaimed biologist
Professor William F. Laurance was especially eager to laud the efforts of the current Indonesian government with respect to ongoing forest conservation efforts and measures.
Largest NGO says APP peat fires deliberately set for replanting purposes
Indonesia's largest environmental NGO has emphatically stated that last year's widespread peat fires in APP's pulpwood concessions were intentional. Proof of this lies in the fact that...
APP under the spotlight as another company found replanting burned peatlands
"The results of the ground-check at PT BMH once again show that seemingly there were no peat restoration efforts made in this concession, just like with PT BAP..."
Govt takes tough line against APP's continual exploitation of burned peatlands
"The ground-check showed that this APP pulpwood company continues to carry out land preparation and replanting of acacia in last year's burned peatlands..."
Indonesian authorities reject APP landscape conservation
"Our ministry has made an official determination that APP's landscape conservation is inconsistent with the country's forestry and environmental laws and regulations."
Minister designates Leuser Ecosystem as inseparable part of Aceh spatial plan
"I have already decided to incorporate the boundaries of the Leuser Ecosystem into the Aceh state forest area map."
Aceh Governor reinforces President's palm oil moratorium policy
As part of a follow-up to the declaration of a moratorium on the expansion of palm oil plantation in the Leuser Ecosystem, the governor of Aceh has issued...
Minister lives up to promise on action against peatland violators in Leuser Ecosystem
"I explicitly instructed my law enforcement team to apprehend anybody engaging in illegal logging or clearing in the Leuser Ecosystem. The monitoring goes on..."
Ambassadors congratulate Indonesia after President signs Paris Agreement into law
Ambassadors from several friendly countries took the opportunity to extend their congratulations to Indonesia after the President signed the Paris Agreement into law...
VIDEO: Monitoring finds seriously burned peatland in Leuser Ecosystem, prompting demand for action
Monitoring conducted by Indonesia's Ministry of the Environment and Forestry has identified some seriously burned peatlands in the Tripa peatland complex located in the Leuser Ecosystem...
Environment Ministry's hard work pays off as Indonesian parliament ratifies Paris Agreement
...we are now very grateful that parliament has approved this. Our President's commitment to this cause has been clearly underlined by his backing for the Paris Agreement...
Google Earth images demonstrate true extent of burned peatlands in pulp giant's concessions
...not all the peatlands burned in the Sinarmas Forestry pulpwood concessions in South Sumatra province last year are covered in the existing indicative map of burned peatlands.
Pulp giant company's work plan annulled due to plantation expansion in Kampar Peninsula landscape
Indonesia's Ministry of the Environment and Forestry immediately annuled the APRIL company's 10-year work plan as the new expansion of acacia plantation blocks...
President's no peat exploitation policy boosted by Agrarian Minister's newly-issued letter
"I highly commend this move made by my colleague, the agrarian minister. We in the cabinet continue to work hand-in-hand to ensure that the no peat exploitation policy..."
APRIL company's newly-emerged work plan surprises NGOs but faces threat of cancellation
"If there are proven to be deviations in the legal substance of this work plan, it will be immediately cancelled. A decision based on the outcome of our verification process..."
Indonesian peatland restoration indicative map issued, covering 35 times the size of Singapore
"This peatland restoration indicative map is a concrete manifestation of President Jokowi's great commitment to restoring last year's burned peatlands as well as saving existing peat domes."
SAC members ask APRIL to put Indonesian government decisions into action
WWF and Greenpeace have declared that APRIL must abide by the decisions made by the Indonesian government in the wake of the peatland violations...
APRIL in flagrant violation of its own sustainability policy, according to CSO coalition
"Of course we cannot accept what APRIL is doing. It is trying to use its 10-year work plan as a scapegoat for justifying violations committed by itself of its own sustainability policy."
APRIL subsidiary's concession suspended as authorities await revised work plan
"The decision to provisionally suspend the operations of the APRIL pulpwood concession on Pulau Padang has been made. It will be in effect while we wait for the map on..."
APRIL proven to have misled the public regarding serious peatland violations
"We once regret the actions of APRIL in trying to mislead the public by claiming that their annual work plan was authorized by the government. This is blatantly misleading..."
President Jokowi vows never to retreat in fight against forest and land fires
"We are not going to retreat in enforcing the law in cases of forest and land fires. We aim to instill discipline in companies and enforce the law..."
Landscape level peat restoration to begin this year, says Peat Agency Chief
"This landscape level peat restoration consists of several concessions located in an extensive peat landscape, especially those under the control of one business group, which were afflicted by huge peat fires."
Asia Pulp & Paper denial shown to be false
In contradiction of the denial issued by APP stating that PT BMH is not a subsidiary of APP or the Sinarmas Forestry group, legal documents show that the company is indeed a subsidiary of the Sinarmas group.
Sinarmas Forestry company found guilty of unlawful conduct by High Court over peat fires
"At the very least, the decision of the Palembang High Court is appreciated because it declares that PT BMH did commit an unlawful act related to forest fires."
Violations in Tripa peat protection zone uncovered
Although a section of the Tripa peatlands was designated as a protection zone by the Aceh Spatial Plan in December 2013, burning, clearing and draining has still occured in parts of this area.
President gets peat agency report card, demands further peat restoration action
President Jokowi has ordered immediate and clear on-the-ground action to be taken to restore both peatlands burned last year, in particular those located in concession areas...
Palm oil moratorium on track, ministry urges all parties to get on board
A draft presidential instruction and action plan on the palm oil plantation expansion moratorium were approved at a coordination meeting under the auspices of...
Ex-IPOP signatory's commitment being tested in Papua despite reassurances
If the Musim Mas Group were to conduct land clearing in parts of these two concessions, it is fair to assume that the palm oil giant would be explicitly declaring itself to be...
NGO network gives guarded response to issue of peat restoration priorities
"I think the peat agency should prioritize their work on heavily degraded peatland, but this should also be extended to less degraded peatland..."
Ministry begins law enforcement phase against major APRIL supplier
"This forms part of the law enforcement supervision being undertaken by our ministry," said the Director General of Law Enforcement at the ministry...
Indigenous leader remains cautiously optimistic about President's promise
"This year will be a very crucial time. If Jokowi fails to fulfill his commitment this year, I think support (for our cause) will dissipate. But I am still optimistic about Jokowi, at least for this year..."
Agreement with APRIL company cancelled by Forestry Minister due to irregularities
Indonesia's Minister of the Environment and Forestry, Dr Siti Nurbaya, has decided to cancel a cooperation agreement between the Ministry's Riau Conservation Agency and the APRIL company...
Aceh authorities explain rationale behind Leuser circular letter ?to palm oil companies
The government of Aceh has taken concrete steps to put into effect the moratorium on palm oil expansion in the Leuser Ecosystem...
Existing permits not to be left out of palm oil moratorium, according to ministry
"Reviews of existing permits form an integral part of the palm oil expansion moratorium. I am conveying this on behalf of the Environment and Forestry Minister."
Peat agency disagrees with Greenpeace recommendation for peat restoration priority areas
"Our recommendation to the peat agency actually relates to the priority areas for restoration. We believe that priority should be given to the less degraded peatland areas because..."
VIDEO: Swift action by minister in Leuser Ecosystem saves 22 Sumatran elephants
Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Minister demonstrated her commitment to on-the-ground law enforcement by taking firm action against the company PT ABN, sealing off its palm oil concession located within the Leuser Ecosystem...
Peat agency indicative map adjudged to be misleading
"The peat agency's indicative map hugely benefits a certain pulp and paper company as well as a number of palm oil companies headquartered in Singapore. This situation needs to be redressed."
Ministry seals off palm oil concession in Leuser Ecosystem linked to supply chain of top biofuel producers
Indonesia's Ministry of the Environment and Forestry has sealed off the palm oil concession belonging to PT ABN because the company lacked the necessary permit to carry out its land-clearing operations.
Peat agency confirms submission of complete APP data
"The burned peatlands in the APP concessions situated in these two regencies are our top priority in terms of restoration. That's why this data from APP was essential, as it serves as important input for the peat agency."
Sustainable development not sole responsibility of producing countries, says coordinating minister
Indonesia, the world's largest CPO producer, must have the foresight and ability to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, said Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution in his opening address...
IPOP to adapt to Indonesian laws and regulations, not the converse, according to deputy minister
Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Musdhalifah Machmud, has reminded all parties concerned with the implementation of IPOP to wait for the results of a detailed study...
Peat agency chief inspects peat fire blanketing local airport with haze
The Chief of the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency, Nazir Foead, has directly inspected the efforts to extinguish an ongoing peat fires in Sumatra's Riau Province. The fires is currently burning just 3 kilometers away from...
Indonesian minister responds to Norwegian concerns
Indonesia's Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya has said she regrets a recent statement by Norwegian Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen, which she claims discredits the Government of Indonesia...
'Don't allow IPOP to become global farce'
Indonesia Palm Oil Pledge (IPOP) has generally come across as merely declarative, and supposing that the communication established by the parties promoting IPOP had been good from the outset, it would certainly not be...
Indonesia needs fiscal system resilient to impact of climate change, leading conservation group warns
The CEO of WWF-Indonesia, Efransjah, is of the view that Indonesia needs a fiscal system that is aligned with its efforts at adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. Such a fiscal system is of great importance to Indonesia, considering…
Budgetary governance by peat agency to be closely watched, activist group says
The issues of budgetary governance and the way in which the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency sets about achieving its targets in a substantial manner are to be closely watched, given that these two issues are considered of primary importance.…
IPOP should neither be uncritically accepted nor rejected out of hand, says minister
Indonesia's Minister of the Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, said that all of the elements of IPOP should be gone through in detail first, and that this process was still ongoing. Thus, she said, it was not yet the time to either fully accept or reject IPOP.
'Indigenous communities must be fully involved in peat restoration work'
There is no other option but to clarify the rights of indigenous peoples in the peat restoration effort. This is very important to note because, to date, much has been done that obscures the rights of indigenous communities...
Honesty with facts on the ground is imperative, says Chief of Peat Agency
Nazir Foead, Chief of the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency, emphasized that in order for the Indonesian peatland restoration efforts under his leadership to be effective, his new deputies had to be honest with the facts on the ground...
Three factors key to success of Indonesian peat restoration
Indonesian peat restoration efforts being carried out in peatland areas burned by the massive land and forest fires in 2015 face a range of complex issues and challenges. Three factors, which will determine in a technical sense the level of success...
Greenpeace: Quicker action required to achieve peatland restoration goals
Greenpeace Indonesia has stressed that the organizational structures of the Indonesian Peat Restoration Agency should be quickly established so that it can soon start operations on the ground with a view to achieving its 2016 target...
Indonesian govt must review its plans so as to mainstream emissions reduction efforts in forestry sector
Chairman of the Advisory Board on Climate Change to the Indonesian Minister of the Environment and Forestry, Wahjudi Wardojo, said he was optimistic about Indonesia's efforts to reduce emissions, especially in the forestry sector...
Minister demands that APP remove ministry logo from conservation masterplan
Indonesia's Minister of the Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, has written to Asia Pulp and Paper (APP)'s Managing Director of Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement, Aida Greenbury, demanding that the ministry's logo be removed from the front cover...
Reducing emissions does not depend solely on land-use and forestry issues, says Indonesian coordinating minister
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution says that reducing emissions does not depend solely on land-use and forestry issues, but also other sectors such as energy, transportation and industry.
Two important aspects of Indonesian peat restoration efforts, says US Ambassador
The US Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert O. Blake Jr., says that law enforcement efforts and the creation of the Peatland Restoration Agency represent two very important aspects of Indonesia's overall peatland restoration effort.
Indonesian minister gives green light to a detailed study of IPOP through bilateral cooperation
The Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya has said she would willingly study Indonesian Palm Oil Pledge (IPOP) in detail as part of bilateral cooperation with governments of countries that have asked...
Jokowi keeps his promise to take over burned areas located in forestry concessions
President Jokowi has kept his promise to the public of taking over areas scorched by the massive fires that burned forests and other land in 2015, in particular those areas situated throughout forestry concessions...
Institutional setup of new Indonesian Peatland Agency to be completed in next month or two
As a newly established government institution, formed on January 6, 2016, and whose chief was inaugurated on January 20, 2016, the Indonesian Peatland Restoration Agency needs to prioritize its institutional setup...
Top official: 3 ways of addressing the issue of palm oil plantations in peatland moratorium areas
A top official at the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MOEF), San Afri Awang, said that his ministry will look at three ways of addressing the issue of palm oil plantations located in peatland...
Report reveals the majority of peatland moratorium areas to consist of palm oil plantations
Peatland moratorium areas, one of the products of the Norway-Indonesia Climate Change Partnership, have been shown by facts on the ground to be dominated by palm oil plantations...


Purple Blush Tomatillo seed are open-pollinated. 68 days.
Get ready for a lush production of large 2"+ fruits on sprawling 5' plants. Everyone who tasted them used words like 'sweet,' 'fruity,' 'yummy,' which explains why we love them so much. Roast them with pumpkin seeds and hot pepper, then grind together with spices for a delicious and nutritionally dense repast. The fruits blush purple where they are kissed by the sun.
Culture: Start indoors 2 weeks after tomatoes lest they get leggy. If seedlings do get leggy, transplant them deep so the stems can root. Some like them pruned, others let them sprawl. Space plants 3' apart for the sprawlers, closer if you plan to prune. Ideal germination temperature 75–85°. 50 seed per pack.
These purple beauties may be used mostly in Mexican cooking, as tomatillos take on the starring role in salsa verde. But you can use this bright summer staple to add a bit of acidity and sweetness to a variety of dishes, like salads, hot dogs, chicken and even eggs.


Girls or Women – Intent is All, or not.
@boucherhayes took me up or rather, took up Kevin Myers – on calling a woman a girl.
It's one of those places where I know he's right, and yet, like most things, it's complicated.


Theatre At First - Arlington, Mass.
The mission of Theatre@First is to work together to provide a fun, friendly, and creative theater experience for cast, crew, and audience alike. We welcome volunteers at all levels of experience and offer a supportive environment in which to work, play, grow, and explore new areas of the theatre arts. We offer affordable and eclectic entertainment to the community, aiming to surprise, delight, entertain, and educate our audiences.


text:
Let's Get Physical — The Reykjavik Grapevine
Words by Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir
Hater's gonna hate, but The Knife's performance on Saturday night was plenty to write home about. Their hour-and-a-half-long aerobic marathon in Harpa's Silfurberg—officially their last live show of all time—was spectacular in the most literal meaning of the word.
I'll admit I haven't thought much about The Knife since the height of local dive-bar Sirkus (RIP) circa 2006, when I was seventeen and not supposed to be in Sirkus. That year also happens to be the last time the Swedish duo dropped an album prior to 'Shaking the Habitual' (2013), on which their current tour is focused. That, coupled with the fact that this is only the band's second tour in their entire 14-year-run, makes it safe to assume that The Knife is not best-known as a live band.
So cut to Harpa on a Saturday night in 2014. Cut to the oppressive heat of Silfurberg where nothing is regulating the number of people inside the venue besides the sheer physical force of bodies blocking the door.
Indeed, mostly everything about The Knife's set and my experience of it was posited on a distinct physicality. For one, the set was preluded by a woman warming up the crowd with some D.E.E.P. Aerobics—"I'm not The Knife. But I'm here to cut through the bullshit"—which involved some physical and emotional cheerleading—"self-consciousness is the illusion that this is only happening to me"—and quite literally set the tone for the forthcoming performance.
Once on stage, The Knife had grown in physical size from two to eleven, with various dancers/musicians/back-up singers shifting between ambiguous roles, taking turns taking on the the voice of Karin Dreijer Andersson as they lip synced the words. From the onset, it became clear that it would not be made clear what part of the set was actually happening live or who was actually performing what. Voices moved between lips and insrumentation gave way to physical movements wherein the members onstage seemed to beat sound out of the air, their bodies becoming imaginary instruments.
But how imaginary was it really? In a way, the music was more tangible as seen pulsing through the performers' bodies. What is it really that we want from a live show, after all? Certainly the feeling of engagement from the performers. Certainly a bit of glitz and glam. And certainly the performers had focus. So much so that the whole thing felt almost cult-ish, with a concentrated collusion onstage between performers who seemed to be truly giving their all (despite the fact that they may not actually have been giving off any sound). Say what you will about the pretense of their brighly coloured ABBA jumpsuits. The implications of the concert may very well have been more complex than a standing-room concert allowed for. Silfurberg may have been a hell-hole of hotness by the end of the set, but what was happening onstage was undoubtedly the perfect physical manifestation of the music of The Knife. Admit it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Relationships can be difficult. Whether you are experiencing discord with your spouse, your children, or other family members, it may be important to seek professional guidance. Our experienced therapists can help you mend your relationships that are suffering. Are the choices of one or more members of your family affecting the entire family unit? Is your blended family having difficulties adjusting to the changes in your home? Are you a couple that needs advice on better communication, handling finances, or making decisions? Call one of our conveniently located offices today so that our understanding office staff can help you make your first appointment. Families and marriages are the foundation of our society. Let our counselors help you form stronger, healthier, and happier relationships with those you love.


My answers to these questions over time, determine whether I will flourish or languish. These are outcome measures of Sensei Bert Bennett's "vertical" and "horizontal". My practice is to turn toward each as I am experiencing it. Also I am designing my days to include experiences of awe, gratitude, play, closeness and serenity. Playfulness needs attention!
What is the most amused, fun-loving, or silly you felt?
What is the most angry, irritated, or annoyed you felt?
What is the most ashamed, humiliated, or disgraced you felt?
What is the most awe, wonder, or amazement you felt?
What is the most contemptuous, scornful, or disdainful you felt?
What is the most disgust, distaste, or revulsion you felt?
What is the most embarrassed, self-conscious, or blushing you felt?
What is the most grateful, appreciative, or thankful you felt?
What is the most guilty, repentant, or blameworthy you felt?
What is the most hate, distrust, or suspicion you felt?
What is the most hopeful, optimistic, or encouraged you felt?
What is the most inspired, uplifted, or elevated you felt?
What is the most interested, alert, or curious you felt?
What is the most joyful, glad, or happy you felt?
What is the most love, closeness, or trust you felt?
What is the most proud, confident, or self-assured you felt?
What is the most sad, downhearted, or unhappy you felt?
What is the most scared, fearful, or afraid you felt?
What is the most serene, content, or peaceful you felt?
What is the most stressed, nervous, or overwhelmed you felt?
I will turn toward the underlined emotions.