Bali told to promote marine conservation

Wed, 11/04/2009 2:24 PM  |  Bali

Bali should prioritize community-based conservation in improving its marine tourism, in order to increase biodiversity and the welfare of local people, says a former tourism minister.

"You can't sustain tourism without conservation," I Gede Ardika said Tuesday during the Inter-island Tourism Policy Forum being held in Sanur.

At the forum, attended by representatives of island provinces from 10 member countries

Ardika cited a coral reef conservation program in Pemuteran village in Buleleng regency as a model example of community-based development.

Residents of Pemuteran use the so-called "bio-rock" method of applying a low-voltage electrical current to grow natural limestone rock on steel skeletons.

The resulting chemical reaction provides the material needed for coral to grow on.

The method has seen a three- to five-fold increase in the local coral growth rate, Ardika pointed out, and has increased their resilience to environmental stress.

He said the village's coral restoration project was a great success, proving that community-based restoration and protection of marine ecosystems was feasible.

"Conserving marine life leads to increased catches for fishermen, thus improving their welfare," he said.

"Tourism also improves because more tourists come to dive and snorkel.

"The quality of a marine tourism area is defined by the diversity of marine life.

"The more diverse, the more marketable the area will be, and the bio-rock method has managed to increase the marine biodiversity."

A report from Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) shows a marine area used for tourism yields 25 times the income of the same area used only for fishing.

The local custom of kosala-kosali applied by Pemuteran villagers is the key to the successful conservation efforts. Ardika said.

The custom stipulates a maximum of two-fifths of any given area may be used for buildings, while at least three-fifths must be green and open space.

"By applying such practices in other areas, tourism can be a leader in environmental protection, restoration and community awareness to reach sustainable development in Bali," Ardika said.

Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika said environmental destruction and the adverse impacts of climate change were among the major threats to the resort island's all-important tourism industry.

He added the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana should be consistently upheld to maintain harmonious a relationship with nature.

The concept emphasizes the importance of humans living in harmony with one another, with nature and with the gods.

On marine tourism, Pastika said, there should be clear zoning of marine areas to support conservation efforts.

"Each marine area is different, so we should start proper zoning to allocate areas for diving and for fishing," he said.

He added his administration would discuss the issue with stakeholders.

To minimize the impacts of climate change on marine tourism, Ardika suggested the private sector take the lead in cutting CO2 emissions in their activities.

"Hotels and tour operators should take the initiative by using only environmentally friendly technology and energy-efficient practices," he said.

JP/Desy Nurhayati

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