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.