Bali News / Bali Travel and Holiday Updates

Balinese is not going to get disappointed if Jatiluwih fails in nomination of the world cultural heritage elected by UNESCO. They will continue to conserve heritage from the predecessor in form of beautiful scenery, terraced rice field, Balinese rice, and the most important thing, Balinese wisdom. Even if it fails to win the nomination, Jatiluwih will remain the favorite tourism attraction in Tabanan. Tourists continue to visit the area with cool climate and beautiful views terraced rice field. Observation even shows increasing visit by foreign tourists to enjoy exotic rice field panorama.

In worsening situation of agriculture in general, Jatiluwih successfully preserve local potentials, the farmland which continuously yields the whole year long. Local farmers constantly apply traditional farming method exposing organic fertilizer and pest control for generations. The existing 303 hectares of fertile ricefield is supported by “subak” activity, a traditional way to circulate water to across the area. Another attraction is a number of temples including Petali temple, Bhujangga Waisnawa, Besi Kalung, and Pura Rambut Sedana, as well as protected forest adding natural beauty to the area.

However, presence of Jatiluwih is affected by a number of problems. Long before nomination for world cultural heritage, local residents has started to complain mushrooming construction of tourism facilities luch as restaurants which are suspected for illegal usage of ground water as well as cafes, motels, and hotels which attract serious concern. Traditional farming groups has once address written protest to the Regent of Tabanan against construction of a large restaurant which brought a negative impact of drying creeks, water supplies for local farming.

Head of Tabanan Culture and Tourism Office, I Wayan Diasa, has refused to make any statement. However he Informed that there will be a meeting to discuss about Jatiluwih taking place on Monday (December 22nd). “Result will be officially announced to media to avoid mis-information,” sand Wayan Diasa.

Conservation Area of Pakerisan River Stream

The area along the stream of Pakerisan river in Gianyar regency has substantial culstural value. Spanning 20 kilometers down to the south, the area has potential natural resources and some tens of historical heritage sites. Among these sites are Pengulingan Temple, Tirta Empul Temple, Mengening Temple, Tebing Gunung Kawi Temple, Tebing Kerobokan Temple, Pengukur-Ukuran Temple, Goa Gajah Temple, and Tebing Tegallinggah Temple. Some of those sites came from the 10th century exposing combination of ancient Balinese pre-history traditional elements.

Considering the chronological history and preserved evidences, area along the stream of Pakerisan river does worth to be nominated for world cultural heritage. At the moment, UNESCO is conducting re-assessment. The area is presented as ancient Balinese tradition full of archeological and historical value. Head of Gianyar Cultural Office, Cok Rai Widiarta P., S.H., informed that nomination of the area of Pakerisan river for world cultural history does not necessarily mean that UNESCO is taking over control of the area. Challenge to conserve ancient historical heritage is getting higher, therefore support from international institution will help government and local community in conserving ancient heritage full of universal value for the sake of community itself.

The regency government will elaborate official regulation in protecting the area from villa construction and other tourism facilities. “In the future construction of supporting facilities will have to go through government assessment to prevent violation of elaborated master plan,” he said. At the moment the draft has been submitted to the legislator for approval.

The most critical part of the regulation is clearly defined zoning – areas where certain constructions are allowed. The potential conflict remains in the fact that there are many buildings located within the area where constructions are supposed to be prohibited, such as Gunung Sari Temple at Goa Gajah where a number of art shops are erected. How does the government will enforce the regulation to already existing premises?

Cok Rai Widiarsa said hat proper approach is required along with coordination with related stakeholders to implement the regulation. The basic principle is that the stream of Pakerisan river where numerous historical sites are located requires proper maintenance which has to be done by local residents. The problem is that maintenance and operation by local community often performed against the typical characteristic of each distinctive site itself, such as alteration of architectural layout which affect the historical value of the site.

Distortion in implementation of traditional Tri Hota Karana concept results in degradation of environmental ecology. The situation gets worsened by revitalization efforts which are not done seriously. Creative management in maintaining the stream of Pakerisan river is critical. The such creative plan has to be repared in a way that local residents are involved.