Forest conservation must be long-term priority for Southeast Asia

The deadly floods in Sumatra at the end of November that killed more than 1,000 people exposed the devastating effects of deforestation, with massive logs washed downstream. Public pressure has forced the Indonesian government to respond and environmental authorities have announced investigations into eight companies suspected of contributing to the flooding and landslides. What happened in Indonesia was not an isolated tragedy. Similar floods have devastated Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam,...