Bali News / Bali Travel and Holiday Updates

The Governor of Bali Made Mangku Pastika expressed his eagerness to accompany the team for world cultural heritage formed by Indonesian ministry of culture and tourism in presenting cultural heritage sites in Bali in effort to be acknowledged as the world cultural heritage. The Government even prepared to give detail explanation in this respect. Being the nominated candidate Bali has to give very detail explanation of every proposed sites, as well as presenting Bali’s preparation to all consequences if the proposed sites then accepted.

“I believe that the support is very important. I am prepared to discuss this matter in international forums. As nominated candidate we have to explain the sites in detail to the world,” said the Governor on his meeting with the Director General of Ancient History of Indonesian Ministry for Culture and Tourism Hari Utoro Drajat in his office yesterday (Monday, November 10th).

Hari Utoro Drajat met Governor Pastika to report the progress on elaborating proposal for world cultural heritage from Bali as well as requesting for support in efforts afterward. Also attending the meeting was Professor of Antropology from Arizona University (USA) Prof. Dr. J. Stephen Lansing as UN representative, Alit Artha Wiguna representing BPTP Bali, Director of Ancient Heritage Yunus Arbi, and a number of the world cultural observers. Accompanying the Governor were the Head of Bali Cultural Office Nyoman Nikayana and the Head of Public Relation I Nyoman Puasha Aryana, M.Si.

Hari Untoro was pleased with the enthusiam of the Governor. He admitted that Governor’s participation will become a significant help to the team, especially in giving detailed explanation of the proposed sites. Governor’s involvement is bringing additional value to process the proposal which is expected to be completed in 2010. “We are targeting acceptance by 2010,” said Hari Untoro.

Within the last few years Bali is proposing three cultural sites to be accepted as the world cultural heritage by the UN. The three sites are Jatiluwih at Tabanan Regency, Taman Ayun Temple at Badung regency, and the gorge of River Pakerisan at Gianyar regency. The proposal has been held for requirement of more detailed information. The team if UNESCO has even refused Taman Ayun Temple being considered has no relation to subak, which then replaced by two additional sites which are Lake Batur at Bangli regency and Sidemen village at Karangasem regency. Proposal is reported to be 80% completed.