Bali, March 20, 2024 – In recent years, Bali has faced a series of serious challenges related to the water crisis. This situation is exacerbated by climate change and uncontrolled growth in the tourism industry. The continuously declining groundwater levels, exploitation of water resources, and lack of environmental sustainability awareness have created an imbalance that threatens the availability of groundwater on the island.
Following the rainwater harvesting well socialization and tree planting activities at Pura Desa/Puseh in Munduk Banjar, Buleleng, last month, IDEP continues to implement strategic steps to improve water resilience and raise public awareness on water scarcity and the broader impacts of climate change.
Through the Bali Water Protection (BWP) program, supported by Save the Children Indonesia, risk communication and community engagement regarding water resource management models in Bali Province continue to be strengthened. In this context, educational and advocacy activities in nine schools within the Primary Recharge Well Area are crucial. IDEP aims to increase students’ understanding and awareness of the importance of water conservation and environmental sustainability as a whole.
The educational activities in schools also involved Made Taro, a storyteller of nature and humanity. Together with him, the activities will feature stories about rain-calling songs. At the end of the event, students will also participate in the traditional Balinese game “Kelik-kelikan.” Therefore, in addition to receiving information on environmental conservation through storytelling, students will also be invited to preserve Balinese culture.
Made Taro and the students of SDN 4 Munduk take a photo together. (Photo: Nicolaus Sulistyo / IDEP)
All of these educational activities aim to encourage active student participation in water resource conservation efforts through simple and easily understood methods for the younger generation, especially children. The educational activities will begin at SDN 4 Munduk, Banjar District, Buleleng Regency, and will then continue to eight other schools within the Primary Recharge Area, based on previous research conducted in collaboration with Bali State Polytechnic (PNB).
“These nine schools are spread across nine regencies, with the assumption and hope that children will become familiar with the water crisis issue early on through simple narratives and a story that sparks their imagination to take small actions. Although small, the hope is that these small actions will be consistently carried out from an early age,” said Putu Suryawan Nadi, our Program Coordinator.
Made Taro and his son, I Made Tarmada, Performing the Rain-Calling Story at SDN 8 Dauh Puri, Denpasar. (Photo: Rodearni / IDEP)
Water availability in Bali continues to be a topic of discussion to this day. The younger generation is encouraged to be aware of their environmental conditions, especially children and teenagers. Once aware, the younger generation will be capable of preserving, maintaining, and ensuring the sustainability of surface water and groundwater.
“A generation that consistently pays attention to these issues and is earnest about them will experience positive impacts on the sustainability and availability of water, which is an essential element of life and in maintaining the balance of the Earth’s ecosystem,” he added.
Article: Nicolaus Sulistyo © IDEP Foundation
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