Garbage in Bali<\/p>\n
Kudos to Wahyoe Boediwardhana for his article Bali struggles
\nto deal with its mounting garbage published in The Jakarta Post
\non Oct. 3, in the Surfing Bali section, page 18.<\/p>\n
I would like to add some thoughts on the subject of waste
\ndisposal in Bali, and in Indonesia generally.<\/p>\n
Before any decrease is seen in the mounting garbage problem,
\nthe awareness of the people must change on this vital issue. This
\nwill only happen if those in the leadership positions begin to
\nspeak out forcefully and with passion about cleaning up our
\nbeautiful country.<\/p>\n
Here in Bali, leadership begins with the President and her
\nfellow national politicians, then filters down to the governors
\nof Bali, to the village leaders, the head of the banjar
\n(subvillage community), to the priests, and the teachers in the
\nschools. These leaders must speak out about the situation --
\nfailure to do so is tantamount to contributing to the problem.<\/p>\n
Also, there needs to be strong legislation against littering
\nand the dumping of garbage and plastic refuse. There should be
\nforce behind this legislation in terms of increasing fines for
\nnot obeying the law, similar to what we see in Singapore. I have
\neven witnessed the government garbage truck dumping its noxious
\nload on the land across from my house rather than take it all the
\nway to the government land fill, and there was nothing I could do
\nabout it.<\/p>\n
We need a concerted and coordinated campaign in the media to
\nraise the consciousness of the people to "pit in", urging people
\nto use waste receptacles rather than the ditch by the side of the
\nroad.<\/p>\n
Finally, those of us who already love Bali enough that we
\nwould not desecrate her with garbage must be doubly conscientious
\nabout recycling, and we must never litter the streets with our
\ngarbage.<\/p>\n
JAMES TAYLOR
\nUbud, Bali<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/garbage-in-bali-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}