Approximately 200,000 hectares of palm plantations in areas designated as forests in Indonesia could be converted back to tree crowns , a government official announced. Land ownership in the plantations, which cover an area roughly two and a half times the size of New York City, is expected to return to the state. The move follows legislation issued in 2020 aimed at clarifying the legal status of plantations operating in areas designated as forests. Around 3.3 million of the country's 17 million hectares of palm plantations have so far been identified as illegally occupying land that should be tree canopy. . Plantation owners who break the rules will face a fine and will no longer be able to grow palm oil on the land. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil, which is used in products including cakes and biscuits, cosmetics, soaps and cleaning products. (Johnny Wood)