A video posted by a US social media influencer showing vast stretches of cleared land in Sumatra has reignited public debate over deforestation in Indonesia, just days after deadly floods and landslides struck the island.
Mike Holston, an American wildlife influencer known online as The Real Tarzan, shared aerial footage filmed from a commercial flight as it passed over Sumatra. The video shows large swathes of land stripped of tree cover, which Holston described as a stark example of uncontrolled deforestation.
“This is what happens when you cut down your forests,” he wrote in a caption urging viewers to share the footage widely.
A view from above
Holston did not specify when the video was recorded, but said he was shocked by what he saw from the aircraft cabin window.
“I’m sad seeing this,” he wrote, questioning why large corporations would buy land “only to destroy nature for profit”.
The footage quickly gained traction across social media platforms, drawing thousands of comments from Indonesian users. Many welcomed Holston to the country, while others expressed hope that international attention would force greater accountability over forest management.
Deforestation under renewed scrutiny
The video surfaced amid heightened scrutiny of environmental practices in Sumatra, where flooding and landslides have killed thousands in recent weeks. Environmental groups have long warned that deforestation, both legal and illegal, weakens soil stability and increases disaster risks during heavy rainfall.
Indonesia’s national police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has said investigators have identified suspects linked to illegal logging following the disasters in three Sumatran provinces.
Authorities have not commented directly on Holston’s video.
Who is Mike Holston?
Holston, who is based in Florida, has more than 16 million followers on Instagram. He rose to prominence through videos documenting close encounters with exotic animals, including snakes and crocodiles, and promotes wildlife education and conservation.
He has travelled widely to film natural landscapes and animal habitats, often highlighting environmental degradation alongside biodiversity.
“Indonesia, let Sumatra teach you a lesson,” he wrote. “When forests are destroyed, businesses lose in the end, nature suffers, and ecosystems reach a critical point.”
A familiar conversation
Indonesia has made international commitments to reduce deforestation and protect forests, but campaigners say enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly in regions tied to extractive industries and large-scale land use.
While some online users questioned Holston’s framing, others said the imagery echoed what local communities and environmentalists have been warning about for years.
As Indonesia balances economic growth with conservation, a short video filmed from the sky has once again brought the issue of forest loss, and its consequences, into global view.
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