Bali Tourism News

Balinese Gather on West Bali’s Shoreline to Pray for Cleaner Oceans and Healthier Coral Reefs.

Bali found its own unique way of joining the rest of mankind in celebrating World Environment Day 2007 on June 5th. Tempo Interaktif reports that the residents of West Bali gathered on the beaches near Menjangan Island to participate in a ritualized cleaning of the sea. The devotees, members of the Communication Forum for People Concerned with Coastal Areas (FKMPP), gathered to pray at the shore and toss floral offerings into the surf.

“This was a spiritual complement to efforts to clean our shores and coral reefs, especially from the threat posed by Crown of Thorn Starfish (Acanthaster plancii),” explained the Chairman of FKMPP, Misnawiyanto.

According to members of the Forum, Bali’s protective reefs are being damaged by coral bleaching and the over-population of Crown of Thorn Starfish. The FKMPP blames the rapid rise in the destructive Crown of Thorn Starfish population on climate change which has created conditions favorable to the species’ proliferation.

The ceremony in West Bali on June 5th was a joint effort of the FKMPP, the West Bali National Park and area dive operators.

World Environment Day

Celebrated every June 5th, World Environment Day is a major vehicle used by the United Nations to raise awareness on environmental issues and galvanize political attention.

The theme for 2007 World Environment Day adopted by the United Nations was “Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?”

© Bali Discovery Tours.

Add comment June 11th, 2007

Bali’s Badung Regency Wins Presidential Award for Municipal Cleanliness.

Bali’s most populace regency of Badung has won, for the fifth year running, the coveted Adipura Award for municipal cleanliness and environmental excellence.

The trophy, presented by President Yudhoyono to the Regent (Bupati) of Badung A.A. Gede Agung in Jakarta, arrived in Bali on Thursday, June 7, 2007 where it was escorted by a motorcade of well-wishers from Bali’s airport to the nearby district (Camat) office in Kuta. Upon arrival at the Kuta District Office, the corps of the Badung Cleaning Brigade (Pasukan Sapu Jagat) gathered to hear Agung expressed his appreciation for their hard work and dedication which made the award possible.

Badung Regency has received the top award for cleanliness for five consecutive years dating from 2003. Agung told the celebratory crowd in Kuta, “this not the first time or the last time we will receive this award.”

In the scoring for the cleanliness award Badung achieved a score of 74.9 points in the latest year, up slightly from the 72 points earned in 2006. Points are awarded for community participation in community cleanliness programs and active participation in recycling efforts.

The Adipura award was given this year to 82 recipients nation-wide with categories divided into metropolitan cities, large cities, medium-sized cities and towns. Badung’s – the administrative district encompassing Bali’s capital of Denpasar and Nusa Dua was honored for achievement within the large city category.

© Bali Discovery Tours.

Add comment June 11th, 2007