Seaside businesses take initiative in call to clean up Bali beaches
For immediate release
Seminyak Beach, Bali - November 23, 2002: Faced with mounting problems of rubbish cluttering the beaches of Bali's coastal stretch of Seminyak and Petitenget during the oncoming rainy season, hotels, cafes and restaurants in this popular resort area have taken the initiative to tackle the issue head on.
Although each beachfront property already deploys a team to clean up their immediate beach area, the changing ocean currents between January and April create mounds of stranded garbage on the beaches.
With the increase in popularity of this secluded stretch of oceanfront north of Legian and Kuta, a community initiative has been launched by some of the main hotel properties along the beach, including The Legian, The Oberoi, Bali, The Samaya, Resor Seminyak and Ku De Ta.
“The initiative, entitled Clean Seminyak-Petitenget!, will initially aim to create a sustainable program to improve the cleanliness of the beach area, and is open to anyone who lives, works or visits the area,” said Kamal K. Kaul, The Chairman of the committee.
Environmental knowledge and assistance in the clean-up program is provided by Bali Fokus, a non governmental organization which deals with pollution and waste management issues in the urban areas of Bali.
The organizers hope to attract support from the community in participating in clean-up events and establishing an ocean monitoring program. Initially funded by the founding partners with a budget of Rp.300 million, the initiative will raise funds through membership and donations.
The program will also establish collection points throughout the Seminyak and Petitenget area for collection and sorting of waste, as well as creating a team of around 20 staff who will carry out daily cleaning of the beach and surrounding areas in two shifts.
“The longer term objectives of the environmental program will involve the local community through educational programs and creating a proper recycling system for the entire area,” said Yuyun Ilham, the program facilitator from Bali Fokus.
With two important temples holding frequent ceremonies on the beach, the Seminyak-Petitenget area plays an important part in the religious life of the island and is popular with many visitors to Bali. In addition, more than 50 stylish hotels, restaurants and shops are located in the district.
For more information regarding the clean up program, please e-mail the
organizers at dos@thelegianbali.com
or contact the following:
