Head of the Subak Research Center at Udayana University, I Wayan Windia, asked Denpasar Mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra on Monday to establish areas for the preservation of the subak system, which has proven to be beneficial for the livelihoods of the city'€™s residents.

"The city administration still has a number of areas developing under the subak farming and irrigation system, including the Anganbaya subak system in Penatih subdistrict, East Denpasar, and other subak areas," Windia said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Aside from providing economic benefits and fresher air, the preservation of the subak farming and irrigation system can be closely linked with the status of Denpasar city as a permanent member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC).

The other permanent member of OWHC in Indonesia is Surakarta, Central Java.

Widia's demand is being made at a time when the existence of the subak farming and irrigation system is being threatened by the fast rate of development encroaching on agricultural areas.

The conversion of agricultural areas for other purposes, including for residential sites or tourist attractions, poses a serious threat to the city's effort to provide an adequate supply of staple foods, especially rice.

Widia reminded that the preservation of the subak farming and irrigation system in regencies and cities throughout Bali would surely erase worries over the possible depletion of the farming areas.

"With regard to the ideal portion for preservation, it all depends on each regency and city in Bali ...special research and assessment needs to be carried out," he added. (yln)

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