Environment Minister: Balinese local wisdom a model for environmental conservation

Environment Minister and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, stated that Bali’s local wisdom can serve as a model for environmental conservation, as demonstrated by the Tukad Bindu community in Denpasar. The minister made the remarks while planting rare trees—sandalwood, agarwood, and nutmeg—and engaging in dialogue with the environmentally conscious community at the Tukad Bindu area in Kesiman Village, Denpasar, on Tuesday. Jumhur Hidayat said Indonesia possesses invaluable local wisdom for safeguarding the environment, and the work done at Tukad Bindu in Denpasar is a prime example worthy of appreciation. “A model like this shows that environmental conservation depends not only on government policy but also on active community participation,” said Jumhur Hidayat. According to him, the success of Tukad Bindu proves that good river governance can be achieved through collaboration between government, communities, and local residents. “I give the highest appreciation to the Tukad Bindu team, which has successfully built community participation through a local wisdom approach in environmental governance, particularly river management. This effort not only maintains the river’s ecological function but also strengthens the social, cultural, and economic values of the surrounding community,” he said. Jumhur added that the good practices developed at Tukad Bindu deserve to become an inspiration for other regions in Indonesia, so that what has been achieved there can be adopted and replicated as an example of community-based and local wisdom-driven river governance. “The government encourages more similar initiatives so that environmental management in Indonesia becomes stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable for future generations,” he said. Meanwhile, Denpasar Mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara stated that the minister’s presence was both an honour and a motivation for the Denpasar City Government and all stakeholders to continue strengthening environmental conservation efforts. “The presence of the Environment Minister represents the central government’s attention and support for the various environmental conservation efforts we have been undertaking together with the community,” he said. Jaya Negara emphasised that collaboration and synergy between the central government, regional government, communities, and residents must continue to be optimised to maintain ecological sustainability and environmental conservation. “We greatly appreciate the Minister for being willing to receive proposals, suggestions, and input from the environmentally conscious community in Denpasar City. Of course, this will also serve as evaluation and improvement material for us in enhancing environmental governance going forward,” he said. The Mayor of Denpasar is optimistic that with strong synergy, various environmental conservation programmes can run more effectively and provide sustainable benefits to the community.