In recent years, Bali has faced a series of serious challenges related to the water crisis, exacerbated by climate change and uncontrolled growth in the tourism industry. Groundwater levels continue to decline, water resources are being exploited, and a lack of environmental sustainability awareness has created an imbalance that threatens the availability of groundwater.
In conjunction with the celebration of World Water Day on March 22, 2024, the well built at Pura Puseh in Munduk Village was symbolically inaugurated with a public discussion and tree planting. The aim was to involve the local village community in increasing awareness and direct participation in groundwater conservation, considering that Munduk is one of the areas with good water absorption, and the absorbed groundwater will benefit both the northern and southern parts of Buleleng.
Rainwater Harvesting Well Socialization at Pura Puseh Munduk Village. (Photo: Nicolaus Sulistyo / IDEP)
The construction of rainwater harvesting wells will continue to be pursued to expand their distribution, making their benefits even more effective. Meanwhile, educational activities for water conservation are still being conducted in various schools across Bali Province. To bring water issues closer to the younger generation, these educational activities are carried out in collaboration with senior storyteller of nature and humanity, Made Taro.
“As I feel today, or as I hold as a principle, singing, listening to stories, and playing are children’s worlds that are incredibly beneficial. The message I want to convey through the stories and traditional games is to instill character values from childhood. First is togetherness, second is honesty, third is self-confidence, fourth is discipline, fifth is respect for others, and sixth is mutual agreement,” explained Made Taro.
Made Taro giving water conservation education through storytelling. (Photo: Lutfia Nurul / IDEP)
In his educational sessions, Made Taro tells stories related to rain-calling songs, and at the end of the activity, students are invited to participate in the traditional Balinese game kelik-kelikan. Besides receiving environmental education, students are also encouraged to preserve Balinese culture.
Water conservation educational activities are being conducted in three regencies, covering a total of nine schools. Buleleng is the first and last regency where this education takes place.
I Wayan Patrem, Principal of SD Negeri 2 Tiga Bangli, expressed that water conservation education through storytelling needs to be preserved. He noted that the activity correlates with the environmental awareness initiatives currently being implemented at his school. The most important thing is the response to the local community’s self-help efforts in providing water access to the school.
“Here, even though it doesn’t rain heavily, when it does rain, water pools in the lower southern area of the schoolyard. So later, as rainwater flows southward and behind the office (principal’s office), the well built behind the office can become a reservoir to return water into the ground. This is also good for water quality in this location and can be returned for use by the local community,” he explained.
Wayan Patrem invites students to watch a storytelling film together. (Photo: Nicolaus Sulistyo / IDEP)
Water access at SD Negeri 2 Tiga comes from the river, where it is collected and then distributed to the community, including the school. Therefore, he constantly reminds students and teachers to always conserve water, as it is provided free of charge by the local community.
Following up on environmental concerns and water conservation education, SMP Negeri Hindu 2 Payangan, Gianyar, is conducting similar activities. Environmental issues are usually discussed during the Monday flag ceremony. The importance of clean water and how to protect it is one of the key messages conveyed. Pande Wayan Suarsa, Principal of SMP Negeri Hindu 2, mentioned that although there are many challenges in changing students’ behavior, the importance of caring for water and preventing pollution is continuously emphasized.
“Therefore, education through storytelling is a good thing. Children develop an imagination about how we take care of water, not just the water around the school but also the water we consume daily. Moving forward, as far as I know, groundwater will continue to experience significant depletion. That’s why we are working with Yayasan IDEP to build recharge wells at the school.”
Ni Putu Septyarin (left) and I Made Oka Bayu Premana (right) commenting after the storytelling film session by Made Taro. (Photo: Nicolaus Sulistyo / IDEP)
Ni Putu Septyarini and I Made Oka Bayu Premana stayed behind after the storytelling session to share their thoughts on the water conditions around them. Putu mentioned that floods have affected many areas, including her home. “Especially when you look on social media, there’s a lot of it,” she said. Made Oka then added that polluted water doesn’t just become dirty; it must be protected because eventually, it will be consumed by all of us.
“From the storytelling today, we learned that when we ask for water from Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, we must not be selfish. It’s not just us who need water; everyone does. So, to protect it, we must work together,” said Made Oka.
Article: Nicolaus Sulistyo © IDEP Foundation
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