Desa Senganan, Tabanan – June 26, 2024 – In an effort to mitigate Bali’s groundwater crisis due to the surge in tourism and exploitation of water resources, Politeknik Negeri Bali (PNB), Management and Science University (MSU) Malaysia, and Yayasan IDEP Selaras Alam held a reforestation program at Tabanan Orange Farm, Br. Bugbugan Sari, Desa Senganan, Tabanan Regency. The event took place on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM WITA.
This event is part of a community service program aimed at increasing water conservation and environmental awareness among the people of Bali. The reforestation efforts were conducted to strengthen the watershed areas crucial for maintaining groundwater ecosystems and ensuring the sustainability of clean water resources in Bali.
IDEP, Management and Science University (MSU), and Politeknik Negeri Bali pose for a group photo. (Photo: Nicolaus Sulistyo / IDEP)
Why Reforestation?
The surge in international tourists to Bali, which increased by 130% from 2010 to 2019, has put significant pressure on local water resources. Currently, the regional water company (PDAM) can only meet 40-50% of the clean water demand, forcing 50-60% of the population and the tourism industry to rely on groundwater. Recent research from Politeknik Negeri Bali and Yayasan IDEP Selaras Alam in 2018 showed that Bali’s groundwater faces serious quality issues, including signs of seawater intrusion due to excessive exploitation.
“We just planted coffee and durian trees. Today, we had the experience of planting directly, using hoes, digging the soil, and placing the plants with our bare hands,” said Natasya Balqis, an MSU student involved in the planting activity.
Project Manager of Bali Water Protection at IDEP Foundation, Putu Bawa Usadi, stated that to avoid the water crisis threatening Bali, IDEP has collaborated with local Balinese farmers to plant trees in 2024, with a target of planting 7,500 seedlings across the province. So far, 2,685 seedlings have been planted in nine regencies on the island.
“The goal of planting 7,500 seedlings is to mitigate the groundwater crisis Bali is facing due to the surge in tourism and exploitation of water resources,” he said.
By increasing vegetation cover in key watershed areas, this activity is expected to improve rainwater absorption into the soil, helping to slow the depletion of groundwater. Additionally, the initiative aims to improve groundwater quality, support biodiversity, and maintain local environmental balance. Therefore, the seedlings chosen for planting were coffee and durian, as both productive and conservation species.
Tree planting activity. (Photo: Nicolaus Sulistyo / IDEP)
Professor at Politeknik Negeri Bali, Prof. Dr. Ir. Lilik Sudiajeng, M.Erg, mentioned that the hope is for the community service program to continue sustainably. She also noted that in addition to tree planting, rainwater harvesting wells are still being built to return water to the ground as a solution to Bali’s water crisis.
“Together with IDEP, rainwater harvesting wells are still being constructed. To date, 62 wells have been built. Some have been constructed in schoolyards, in various community centers (banjar), and in public areas. The consideration is to ensure the wells are placed in key recharge areas. This also serves as a form of education. Why in schools, why in banjar? People will come, see them, and start asking questions. That’s when knowledge transfer begins to the community. So, we are gradually fostering a water conservation culture,” she explained.
By focusing on building a culture of water conservation and environmental awareness, this program is expected to provide sustainable solutions aligned with SDGs No. 3 and No. 6. Through activities such as river estuary water treatment, reforestation, and the implementation of the Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse system, it is hoped that all stakeholders can collaborate to preserve the environment and prevent Bali from facing a future water crisis.
Article: Nicolaus Sulistyo © IDEP Foundation
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