In 2001, WWF found the plant diversity of the Tesso Nilo forest in the center of Riau to be absolutely outstanding among the forests of the world. In 2003, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) confirmed the results.
Yet, Riau has lost 54% of its forest cover between 1982 and 2004 . Forests unparalleled in the world are disappearing at a rate of 450 haper day in this little province alone.The secrets these forests held and the benefits they may have given to mankind will never be discovered. Oceans ofidentical, artificially grown palm and acacia trees now cover what once was the ultimate harbor for life’s diversity.
Plantation companies have been driving the loss of forests. In 2004, they controlled 3,840,907 ha (46%) of Riau’s mainland. The pulp industry held concession rights to 1,839,167 ha (22%). The palm oil industry held rights to 2,001,741 ha (24%) in 2002. Only 579,052 ha (7%) of Riau are in protected areas.
In mid 2004, 2,467,832 ha of natural forest remained outside protected areas. 1,215,562 ha (49%) were inside concessions of the forest conversion or logging industry and may soon be gone, 39% were locally protected forests, so called Hutan Lindung (Protection Forests), which have seen dramatic rates of conversion in recent years, despite their protection status.