In light of September’s devastating flooding, Bali is on a mission to prepare for the monsoon season as quickly as possible and to take serious steps to support the environment, helping ensure the island is as future-proofed as possible.
On Wednesday, 10th September, and the days that followed, Bali saw the worst flooding in over 70 years. Thousands of families lost their homes and businesses, and more than 15 people lost their lives.
Hundreds of businesses had their premises damaged by rapidly rising flood waters, and communities were left with huge piles of flood debris to clear before they could even start rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.
One of the key reasons the flooding was as dramatic and widespread as it was, aside from the sheer volume of rain, was that many of Bali’s most important watercourses were already blocked by waste and debris.
Ultimately, the rapid conversion of agricultural land and green landscapes into commercial buildings without sufficient investment in the supporting infrastructure also played a huge role in the scale and speed of the devastation.
Moving forward, leaders in Bali are doubling down on their commitments to help keep the island’s essential waterways clear and invest in re-greening landscapes to help reduce flood risk in the long term. This week, teams in Badung Regency, the area of Bali home to top tourism resorts like Canggu, Uluwatu, and Smeinyak, have been working to clean up local rivers and plant thousands of trees.
The efforts by the Badung Regency Government and community took place to commemorate Rahina Tumpek Wariga Day, a Hindu holy day that is dedicated to the honoring of plants. The Badung Regency Government held a series of events across the area called ‘Planned Universe Movement: Real Action of Simultaneous Tree Planting and River Cleaning’, the focus of which was oriented around the Tukad Ayung River in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village in Abiansemal District.
The event was also attended by Governor Wayan Koster, along with the Regent of Badung Wayan Adi Arnawa and Deputy Regent Bagus Alit Sucipta.
Speaking to the community, Regent Arnawa shared, “As Hindus, we have just celebrated Tumpek Wariga, a meaningful day for planting and honoring plants. I hope the trees we plant today will thrive and benefit the balance of nature and human life, in accordance with Balinese local wisdom, which always upholds harmony between humans and nature.”
Through the event, a total of 4,400 saplings were planted, alongside a considerable river clean-up effort.
He added, “The flooding on the 10th serves as a reminder that some people still use rivers as garbage dumps. Through today’s activity, we want to emphasize that rivers are no longer our ‘backyard,’ but our ‘front yard,’ and must be protected and cared for.”
Governor Koster praised the community effort and called on all in Bali to keep up the community spirit while always considering the environment in every action.
He shared, “We offer the Puja Pangastuti lan Angayubagia to Hyang Widhi Wasa, Ida Betara-Betari, our ancestors, and the Balinese Langitit for their blessings, so that we can gather in today’s Gotong Royong Semesta Berencana activity.”
Gotong Royong is the Indonesian term for community-based collaborative volunteer work that is a part of day-to-day life in many areas, ranging from disaster relief to farming and more.
He added, “On the holy day of Tumpek Wariga, we are grateful to plants because they are the ones who give life, oxygen to breathe, food to survive, and ecosystem balance for the sustainability of Bali’s nature. Through planting trees today, we are not only planting seeds, but also planting hope for a green, harmonious, and ecologically competitive Balinese future.”
Governor Koster continued, “Gotong Royong Semesta Berencana will be a sustainable movement to realize a green and harmonious Bali, in accordance with the vision of Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali through the Universal Planned Development Pattern in the New Era of Bali.”
Governor Koster concluded by sharing his hopes that more of these kinds of events and efforts could be coordinated on a long-term basis throughout the province. He said, “If activities like this are implemented consistently, two important things will be achieved.
First, the public will be increasingly educated in building a culture of cleanliness and mutual cooperation. Second, the environment, especially river areas, will become cleaner, more beautiful, and more sustainable.”
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