Bali News

Eagerness of investors into holy sites of Bali got negative reaction from local communities, including investor intending to enter the area of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan, Buleleng. Tens of activists identifying themselves as Buyan Care Forum has just met the House of Representatives (DPRD) Bali in Tuesday to suggest the house to to reject investment proposal in those two holy sites.

Chairman of DPRD Bali, Ida Bagus Putu Wesnawa who met the activists achowledged his agreement to refuse investmnt proposal intending to enter Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. Wesnawa acnwoledged his agreement after the forum insisted him to put his signature on a banner rejecting investment in Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan as those locations are considered holly sites. “In my capacity as the house chairman I herewith refuse investor to enter the holly sites of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan”, he said.

He then asked the demonstrants if they have ever go to a cafe. “If you find me in a cafe, feel free to bust me”, he said. House Chairman Wesnawa has consistenty refused anything which brings potential negative impact to holly sites. He repeatedly warned anyone who met him to avoid anything that may damages the holliness, including drunk, drugs, and free sex.

Buyan Care Forum, Bobi Andala revealed that after the license of PT Anantara to build floating stage in Lake Buyan revoked, PT Nusa Bali Abadi has received a principal approval from the Regent of Buleleng to build a construction in Buyan area. The investor is now processing a proposal for recommendation from Bali Governor. The demonstrants demanded the housemebers’ commitment for not selling natural resources to investors. The commitment was considered important as a construction has been started at Dasong Forest, within Buyan area. “Will we let the water preservation areas and holly areas damaged because of greedy investors and corrupt officials?” he asked.

He reiterated MK Gandhi saying “the earth provides enough for all creatures, but not enough for even one single greediness”. Therefore he insisted to immediately stop environmental abuse for investors’ greediness. He expected that the commitment of the House Chairman to be followed by the Governor by proving his commitment to reject any investment in Dasong Forest and Lake Buyan, and put those areas into a protected area in the new regulation of zoning allocation.

In socio-cultural point of view, commercial tourism development in the area will close access for naturalist groups into the area which so far has been considered as their second home to learnt more about the nature. Local community will also loose their access to the lake. Furthermore, if villa constructions allowed, surrounding holly area will be damaged as well. There are many temples and ancient artifacts scattered around the area, heritages that deserve protection.

They exposed that an investor holding about 20 hectars of land has started construction to build 400 villas.