Bedugul a vital natural resource, says expert

Bedugul a vital natural resource, says expert

The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

The main road from Denpasar to Singaraja crosses the range of mountains that circle the beautiful Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan lakes and make up the unique, resource-rich district of Bedugul.

Bedugul, located on the border of Tabanan and Buleleng regencies, is home to a variety of precious natural resources.

In addition to its famous Botanical Park, the area houses the three lakes that have been Bali's major water resources for centuries. And in the forests of Bedugul rare flora thrives.

Lake Bratan, nestled around Mount Catur, has long been famous for its beautiful scenery. It is also now known for its more modern tourist-oriented water sports complex. The jewel of the lake is the temple of Ulun Danu, which was built to honor Dewi Danu Beratan, the goddess of the lake.

Dewi Danu Beratan is an agricultural deity honored and respected by farmers across the island of Bali, especially those from Tabanan and Badung. It is said the goddess provides waterside farmers with blessings of plentiful harvests.

Its pristine environment has been changed by the increase of visitors, food vendors and the clutter of new developments catering for the tourists who flock Bedugul to enjoy the cool climate and beautiful scenery.

However, lack of law enforcement in the area is leading to both visitors and investors despoiling the pristine area. There is now a considerable amount of garbage in Bedugul that is not collected and the development of villas, hotels and restaurants on the slopes of the mountains and on the edge of the lakes is affecting the physical condition of Bedugul and its surrounding areas -- the island's major water catchment areas. The mushrooming concrete buildings are also likely to disturb the area's unique ecosystem.

Prof. Adnyana Manuaba, chairman of the Bali Ecology Group, has frequently warned the provincial and regional governments to pay more attention to the preservation and conservation of Bedugul.

Bedugul forests were known for their rare plants found nowhere else in the world, Manuaba said. Development could also cause land erosion and major flooding in the lower areas of Badung, Tabanan and Denpasar during the rainy season.

The construction of the controversial Villa Bunga, built on Bedugul hill slopes is concerning local environmentalists.

However their biggest worry was the planned geothermal project in the middle of protected forests, which the local government had recently allowed to go ahead, Manuaba said. The environmental impact caused by such a gigantic project would be immense.

Manuaba said it would be wise to keep Bedugul free from development projects otherwise Bali would lose its richest natural resources, including rare medicinal plants. It would be better for the local authority to designate Bedugul as a natural resource study and research center, he said.

However, Bedugul admitted any such designation would require strong political will.

Revenue for the area could instead be gained by developing ecofriendly tourism activities including nondestructive agricultural businesses, he said.

"If we protect the natural environment, tourists around the world will be happy to visit Bedugul. In addition, global researchers will also flock to Bedugul to learn about its specific natural assets."

Unfortunately, not many people, including local bureaucrats, were willing to take his advice, Manuaba said. They did not understand the importance of preserving the island's priceless natural heritage -- they only wanted to make a quick profit from massive tourism and energy projects there, he said.