Bali Provincial Government Collaboration Boosts Green Open Spaces
The Bali Provincial Government’s commitment to expanding green open spaces was demonstrated through a mangrove planting activity conducted directly by Bali Governor Wayan Koster, together with the Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence of the Republic of Indonesia Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung), Prof Reda Manthovani, and the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office staff, at the Tanjung Benoa Nature Reserve Forest (Tahura), South Kuta, Badung, on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
On that occasion, Koster emphasised the importance of mangroves as a natural fortress to preserve Bali’s ecosystem while strengthening global tourism competitiveness. He revealed that the coverage of green spaces in Bali currently stands at around 20%. The Provincial Government of Bali targets an increase to at least 30%, even reaching 35% in the next four years. “Bali not only needs a good ecosystem, but also because Bali is a world tourism destination, environmental issues are very sensitive to tourism sustainability,” he stated.
Koster stressed that greening efforts in Bali are not merely environmental programmes, but are deeply rooted in local wisdom passed down by ancestors, namely the concept of Sad Kerthi. In the context of plant and forest conservation, this teaching is known as Wana Kerthi, which is interpreted as efforts to honour plants.
“Not just maintaining, but honouring. Because plants, especially mangroves, are sources of human life that produce oxygen, sources of food, and guardians of natural balance,” he said. He also highlighted the strategic role of mangroves in absorbing carbon, strengthening soil structure, and preventing coastal abrasion that continues to erode Bali’s land, both in the northern and southern regions.
Currently, the mangrove area in Bali is estimated at around 1,200 hectares in the Denpasar area and surroundings, and even larger if combined with other regions such as Buleleng and Jembrana. However, Koster assessed that this extent still needs to be continuously increased to stem the rate of abrasion. “Bali’s land continues to decrease due to abrasion. Many lands now only have their certificates left. Mangroves are an important solution to expand and maintain the land,” he explained.
In addition to mangrove planting, the event was also filled with the release of dozens of birds such as munia, egrets, and koaks as part of ecosystem restoration efforts.
On the other hand, the Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence of the Attorney General’s Office, Reda Manthovani, expressed his appreciation for the compactness of the Bali government and community in preserving the environment. “Planting mangroves is not only about restoring nature, but also about shaping one’s character. What we do today will be embedded in our memory to continue preserving the environment,” he stated.
He added that the activity serves as a reminder that humans live side by side with other creatures and have a responsibility to maintain natural balance, in line with the noble values passed down by Bali’s ancestors.
It is known that in this event, 2,000 Rhizophora mangrove seedlings were symbolically handed over to mangrove enthusiast communities in Bali, such as the Mangrove Care Forum, Simbar Segara, and Mangrove Ranger. Of that number, 200 seedlings were planted directly by the attendees.