Concert for the environment

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): A free music concert featuring Indonesian artist Nugie will be held on June 16 in Kuta as part of a nation- wide campaign to raise people's awareness of the current poor condition of the island's coral reefs, a local environment activist said here on Friday.

Dewi Satriani of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Wallacea Bio Region said that the concert would be free. "There will also be games, quizzes, and a lot of prizes for the concertgoers. We want this event to be as attractive as possible."

Nugie is one of several Indonesian singers, who has great concern for environmental issues.

The campaign is aimed at mobilizing support at the grassroots level for conserving the coral reefs on the island of Bali, once known for its pristine waters and myriad underwater life, Satriani said.

Illegal use of dynamite and poison by fishermen, irresponsible diving practices, and land and marine pollution, have been blamed for the destruction of the island's coral reef.

The concert would take place at the high-tech center stage of five-star Hard Rock Beach Hotel in Kuta, some 15 kilometers east of Denpasar.

The concert is supposed to be the peak of the Friends of the Reef Campaign launched by the WWF Wallacea Bio Region last May, she said.

Photo, video, poster and comic competitions as well as a children's drawing contest will be held.

"An exhibition on coral reefs will also be held at Hard Rock Beach Hotel on June 14 and June 15," Satriani added. (zen)