Coconut tree have a specific meaning to Hindus in Bali, as practically all part of the tree can be used for daily life, even for ritual purposes, as well as for supporting tourism.

The coconut leaves, locally known as janur, can be used as banten, an offering in Hindu ceremonies, while the fruits are harvested for daily supplement drinks, traditional medicine and even spiritual cleansing.

The leaflets, or lidi, can be used as brooms, while midrib or pelepah can be processed into animal feed or to be used as firewood. The wood can be used for furniture, and the husk can be used to make ropes or mats.

Nyoman Saba, 65, a coconut-tree climber from Banyuatis village, Banjar, Buleleng, knows very well the meaning of 'tree of life' as he makes a living from it.

Using traditional tools such as a sickle and plastic ropes, it takes less than two minutes for him to climb the 20-meter trees.

"I've been a coconut tree climber for decades, starting even before I started elementary school," he said.

He receives Rp 60,000 [US$4.6] for climbing six trees, or less than a dollar per tree. [ags]