Bali Experience

Tourism has brought many benefits to Bali, but it has also created new concerns. One of the most pressing problems facing Bali today is the threat to the island’s natural resources from overdevelopment. As rice fields are bought up and turned into hotels and golf courses, huge drains are being placed on Bali’s water resources, creating critical shortages of needed water in some areas of the island and threatening to cause severe drought conditions in a matter of a few short years. Mining and timber cutting for new developments have placed the island’s few remaining forest areas in danger, along with their delicate ecosystems and marvelous biodiversity. Already the coral reefs off Bali’s coasts have been severely damaged by people collecting the corals for use as building materials and by careless tourists unaware that the reefs are a fragile, living habitat. Waste is also a tremendous problem, with over a million tourists a year and an increasing population of Balinese leaving Bali’s landfills overflowing with plastic and other non-biodegradable products.

Fortunately, there are a number of local organizations who are working to spread the word about the threats to Bali’s natural wealth and to plan programs to combat environmental degradation. All these organizations will gladly accept donations and can point interested visitors toward opportunities to volunteer their time and skills.

Wisnu Foundation has been a leader since 1993 in protecting Bali’s environment and educating the public about their role in conservation. They have undertaken a number of successful projects, including making plans for managing Bali’s fast-dwindling water resources, instituting recycling and waste management programs in Bali’s businesses and hotels, and teaching schoolchildren about Bali’s natural bounty. They pioneered the concept of ecotourism in Bali, and instituted an “eco-rating” system for Bali’s hotels to help them improve their relationships with the environment. Wisnu Foundation can be contacted at: Yayasan Wisnu, Jalan Muding Indah I/1, Kerobokan, Bali. Telephone (0361) 424758.

Pusat Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup (Center for Environmental Education), popularly known as PPLH, maintains a complete center for environmental affairs right in the heart of Sanur. Comprising a lending library, internet access, an excellent café offering healthy treats, and even a lovely small hotel, the Hotel Santai, PPLH is an unparalleled resource for the traveller wishing to learn more about Bali’s natural world. Ask them about special seminars on environmental issues, and trips to some of Bali’s environmental attractions. PPLH is located at: Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 148, Sanur. Telephone (0361) 287314.

Manikaya Kauci Foundation is another organization active in environmental affairs. They have conducted research exploring the sustainable use of ocean products, worked to help protect Bali’s threatened turtle population, and made recommendations for the management of Bali Barat, Bali’s national wilderness park. Manikaya has also worked with visiting researchers and journalists interested in learning more about the problems facing Bali’s natural resources, and they maintain a collection of materials on Bali’s environment. They can be contacted at: Manikaya Kauci Foundation, Jalan Noja Gang XXXVII No. 16, Denpasar, Bali. Telephone (0361) 249630.

Mitra Bali Foundation, established in 1993, works to help small scale Balinese handicraft producers, spreading the message of “fair trade” to benefit those marginalized from the mainstream of the tourist industry. Offering training in design, business management, gender equality, child labor protection and the sustainable use of natural resources, Mitra Bali emphasizes an eco-friendly approach to tourist development. Visitors interested in buying the best of Bali’s handicrafts, produced in safe, egalitarian working environments using only wood harvested from reforestation plantations can contact Mitra Bali at: Yayasan Mitra Bali, Jalan Siulan No. 60, Denpasar. Telephone (0361) 463245.