Jakarta, April 14 -- Indonesia's Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the social forestry scheme offers a strategic opportunity to develop Indonesia's carbon economy and improve community welfare.

"With a national target of around 12.7 million hectares, this scheme not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also creates economic opportunities for communities through carbon incentives," he said at a working meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday.

He said remaining natural forests in social forestry areas help protect existing carbon stocks, while agroforestry and land rehabilitation can increase long-term carbon absorption.

"This approach is relatively low-cost as it utilizes existing ecosystems and local ...