Groups join green battle to save national park
Groups join green battle to save national park
Alit Kertaraharja, Contributor, Singaraja, Bali
The West Bali National Park offers more than just picturesque
scenery, its rich marine resources have long been the main source
of income for the locals.
Sadly, since two years ago, the 19,000-hectare national park
-- including 3,415 hectares of water -- has been subject to
illegal logging and prohibited fishing practices.
Ironically, the locals are among those responsible for the
problems, as they use explosives to catch fish. As a result, much
of the coral reef and many underwater species have been
destroyed.
Those who were alert to the plight of the park established the
Communication Forum of People Concerned about the Coastal Area of
the West Bali National Park (FKMPP TNBB).
The forum consists of 11 institutions, including non-
governmental organizations, villages, and fishermen's groups from
three villages -- Sumberklampok, Pejarakan and Gilimanuk. Many
businesspeople have also become involved in the environmental
drive.
According to forum coordinator, I Nyoman Sandhi, efforts to
manage marine resources and the coast also aim to improve the
welfare of the people.
The forum was established in 2002 and facilitated by the World
Wildlife Foundation through the Friends of the Reef (FOR)
program.
Fira Ramelan, communications project officer of FOR under WWF
Indonesia, emphasized that the program aims to conserve the
environment while helping local people make a living. The FOR
team educates people on environmental protection and teaches them
skills, such as growing seaweed.
The team regularly conducts patrols of the coast, on the look
out for fishermen using explosives, such as potassium cyanide.
They also run a program called Clean Gilimanuk for Bali.
Conservation, Fira said, is a complex issue. It is very
difficult for the government alone, or one or two parties, to
properly sustain the environment of an area, she explained.
"In order to improve public awareness, to encourage efficient
management and to guarantee the sustainable utilization of marine
resources, we should work together. This is manifested through
the forum," she said.
One of the areas that is closely monitored by the forum is
Menejangan Island, a tourist destination that is known for its
magnificent underwater panoramas. The huge number of visitors
has, however, only worsened environmental conditions. Many are
unaware of their personal impact on the environment and some even
take home souvenirs, such as coral and shells. Global warming has
also resulted in the bleaching of the reef.
In 1996 and 1997, it was recorded that some 40,000 thorn of
the sea starfish were removed from the sea with the use of
potassium cyanide. While, due to coral bleaching, about 55
percent of coral reefs around the island were damaged.
The latest survey in 2002 showed that 50 percent of the coral
reefs in the vicinity of Menejangan Island were in "poor"
condition, 22.5 percent were in "average" condition, 22.2 percent
"good", and 5.6 percent "satisfactory".
"To monitor the condition, we conduct periodic surveys.
Usually, we monitor the same area so that we can obtain a useful
comparison," Fira said.
There are at least 226 kinds of coral and fish in the national
park.
The park is also home to thousands of other species. Among the
animals that can be found there are the Bali starling, jalak Bali
(leucopsar rothschildi) -- which is the mascot of the park and
symbol of the province -- jalak putih or jungle myna (sturnus
melanopterus), banteng or the wild ox of Java (bos javanicus),
kancil (mouse deer) and black monkeys. There were only 18 jalak
Bali on the island in 1996, while there were lass than 20
banteng, according to a survey conducted that year.