President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday finally signed a policy banning the conversion of primary forest and peatland for two years as part of a government pledge to combat climate change through reducing deforestation.

With the presidential instruction, all local authorities should stop issuing forestry permits, including for plantation and mining companies eyeing businesses in primary forest and peatland areas.

“The moratorium will apply to 64 million hectares of forests across the country,” Agus Purnomo, the President’s aide on climate change issues, said Thursday.

The announcement came after Yudhoyono met with editors of US media outlets at the Presidential Palace.

Agus, who is also secretary-general of the National Council on Climate Change, said the instruction included a map showing the areas that would be affected by the moratorium.

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