The Outline
Introduction
Hook
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Background Information
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Thesis Statement
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Body paragraph 1
Topic sentence (reason 1)
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Supporting details
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Body paragraph 2
Topic sentence (reason 2)
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Supporting details
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Body paragraph 3
Counter-Argument
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Concession
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Refutation
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Conclusion:
Restate the Thesis Statement
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Comment (Prediction/Suggestion/Warning)
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State General Issue
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Full Essay
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Name : Fitri Tri Wahyuningsih
Std. Nmbr : 20200210031
Class : Agro 3
Conversion of Forest Functions in Indonesia
Recently, forest conversion has become a topic that is often discussed throughout the
world, especially Indonesia. The conversion of forest functions is a change in the main
functions of forests into non-forest areas such as settlements, agricultural areas and
plantations. In Indonesia itself, the conversion of forest functions has often occurred every
year, especially on the island of Kalimantan. However, the conversion of forest functions
is very unacceptable for 2 reasons, namely because it can cause natural disasters and cause
the extinction of animals that are there.
First, the conversion of forest functions must be stopped because it has become the
cause of natural disasters, such as floods. Quoted from merdeka.com, on January 12, 2021,
there was a flood in Kalimantan which resulted in 15 deaths, 39,549 people displaced,
24,379 houses were flooded and 10 districts and cities were affected by the flood. Forests
which could become water catchment areas no longer exist due to the conversion of these
forest functions, therefore they are capable of causing natural disasters such as floods.
According to the coordinator of the Mining Advocacy Network, Merah Johansyah,
changes in land use to mining, oil palm plantations, and forest concessions (HPH) are the
main causes of damage to areas in South Kalimantan which are currently causing flooding
(taken from: Merdeka.com issued on 12 January 2021). Therefore, it needs to end the
forest function conversion.
Second, the conversion of forest functions must be stopped because it has become the
cause of the extinction of protected animals. According to Global Forest Watch, quoted
from Betahita.id in May 2020, in the last 20 years, four species have become extinct due to
forest loss. This is caused by the destruction of the original habitat of these animals due to
human activities. Loss of forests also increases the risk of extinction of hundreds of
species that depend on forests, where animals are very dependent on forest conditions that
are able to provide all their needs for life. The conversion of forest functions has also
made the orangutan population decline. The Sumatran orangutan population is estimated
to be around 14,613 individuals and the Tapanuli orangutan population is estimated to
only be around 800 individuals in the wild (taken from: WWF in the DIY Environment
and Forestry Service). He continued, the main cause of the threat to the orangutan
population was habitat destruction, which mostly occurred due to forest conversion for oil
palm plantations or for other agricultural lands. Hence, no need to continue the forest
function conversion.
Forest function conversion is necessary to be done since it will provide more land for
agricultural sectors. The conversion of forest functions such as land clearing for oil palm
has several benefits, such as being able to increase state income, and create jobs for many
people. It is true that the clearing of oil palm land has a good reason. However, this
activity cannot be justified, it is better to use forest that has been given permission to clear
and have been given instruction from the local government. Because most of the
conversion of forest functions is not based on an urgent need. So that the negative impact
of forest conversion is felt by many people compared to the good impact. In the end, forest
function conversion should be forbidden as it may initiate natural disaster and cause animal
extermination. It is plausible to do if the government has issued the regulations officially.
The conversion of forest functions is very detrimental to the nature and the animals
surround it. If the conversion of forest functions continues, more and more natural
disasters will occur, and can take many lives, and also more and more animals will
experience extinction due to the loss of their habitat. Therefore, we must stop the
conversion of forest functions, because it can cause negative impact. The hope is that the
Indonesian government can pay more attention to environmental sustainability, so that it
can provide many benefits for humans and flora and fauna
