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.