Bali has just welcomed its new Governor, Deputy Governor, and Regents for another five-year term. As the new cycle formally gets underway, leaders are committing to new promises and targets for the community of Bali.
Naturally high on the list of priorities are waste management, traffic congestion, and tourism.
The new Regent of Badung, Wayan Adi Arnawa, has taken part in a beach clean-up operation as part of his commitment to keeping the regency’s environment safe and clean for all.
Badung is home to Bali’s biggest and most popular tourist resorts, from Canggu, through to Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta, as well as Jimbaran, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua.
Regent Arnawa was joined by other top officials from Badung Regency, including the Head of the Badung Regency DPRD I Nyoman Sudana, the Head of Satpol PP Bali Province I Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, the Head of Satpol PP Badung Regency I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara and many more.
Regent Arnawa told reporters of the importance of ensuring all of Bali’s beaches are clean and free from ocean debris and trash.
He shared “As a superior tourism destination, the cleanliness and comfort of the beach must be a priority. I appreciate the steps of Satpol PP who have started this activity and hope it can continue as a joint effort in maintaining environmental sustainability.”
Regent Arnawa emphasized his commitment to better organizing and streamlining operational management of tourism beach areas in Badung Regency, especially in super popular tourist resorts like Kuta, Canggu, Jimbaran, and Kedonganan, to name but a few.
He confirmed that a series of steps have been outlined to help improve the beach experience for all tourists including the development of pedestrian paths, and the rearrangement of cafes and tourist facilities to be more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for visitors.
During his interview with the media, Regent Arnawa also highlighted the importance of better waste management in the area.
He emphasized that beach cleanliness is not only the responsibility of the government but also requires active involvement from local businesses and local communities. He explained “I as the successor Regent will certainly continue my performance and responsibility in protecting the Badung region.”
“Therefore, I will focus on beach planning, cleaning the beach area from acting traders who do not have a fixed place so that they do not roam, and building pedestrians that can be used by pedestrians, both local people and domestic tourists.”
The regency leader shared “I don’t want to see Badung looking shabby because of garbage. The government will allocate a special budget to handle this problem, but public awareness and participation remain the key to its success.”
He concluded, “I invite all elements of the community to participate in creating a clean, orderly, and comfortable environment for the sustainability of the tourism sector throughout the Badung Regency area.”
The beach clean-up was not only a chance for Regent Arnawa to make his presence and intentions known to the communities around Jimbaran and Kendonganan but the occasion was also a celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Pamong Praja Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the 63rd Anniversary of the Community Protection Unit (Satlinmas) of Bali Province.
The Head of Satpol PP of Bali Province, I Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, told reporters how the community beach clean-up operation was a way of bringing the community together and remembering the importance of Balinese values.
He shared “We do this activity as a form of caring for fellow human beings and the environment as an application of the Tri Hita Karana. Caring for each other and growing a sense of belonging to share love into a social form that we must improve and disseminate, so that they feel the existence of the government in the community.”
Though the rainy season is starting to draw to a close, tides of plastic waste are still being deposited on Jimbaran Beach and Kedonganan Beach regularly. Last week the Badung Environmental and Sanitation Agency confirmed that over 3,100 tonnes of waste had been cleared from the regency’s coastline since the start of monsoon season.
Beach clean-up teams are attending Jimbaran Beach and Kedonganan Beach, and when necessary Kuta Beach, Legian Beach, and Seminyak Beach daily. Clean-up teams start working in the early hours and generally, the beaches are free from debris by 10 am when tourists arrive to enjoy the coast.
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