Bali reef regeneration project
Whilst in Bali in March 11 I visited a friend up in Pemuturan which is on the north western corner of bali, about a three hour drive from Denpasar. My friend, Rani, has been involved in this project for 10 years or so, and the project is about regenerating the coral reef destroyed insome flooding that occurred som eyears ago.
Over the past 10 years Rani and her crew have built some steel lattice structures and submerged them in the area where the previous reef had been. She then ran a low electrical current through the steel and collected, thus far, some 100 coral species from all around Indonesia. The theory is that the low voltage direct current promotes the growth of the coral, and as my recent snorkelling experience showed me, it is working. The reefs are thus electrically charged to grow.
The project covers approximately a hectare of seabed, and it is really heartening to see so much healthy coral and the brightly coloured fish that it attracts. Rani feels that more and more with global warming there will be increasing bleaching and subsequent death of coral and feels like she is creating what may be a Noah's Ark of coral.
Rani has installed inderwater lights for night snorkelling which she says is very beautiful, though as I was only there during the day I did not experience that.
The reef is just in front of the Taman Sari Resort and Spa which is one of those idyllic Balinese resorts that exude luxury, beauty and comfort without the 5 star price tag. At around $100/night for a bungalow it is a wonderful place for that romantic weekend out of the hussle and bussle of the downtown Kuta tourist strip.
The reef project, called The Pemuteran Karang Lestari Coral Conservation Project, is in the February 2004 issue of Scuba Diver Magazine. Like most worthwhile projects privately sponsored, you can donate to buying coral or constructing anothe rsteel scaffold to act as a lattice. Rani has plans to submerge concrete sculptures to make it even more an underwater park.
So fo ra holiday with a difference, with great snorkelling and the added bonus of getting involved in a really good reef regen project, visit Pemuturan, and enjoy!
Submerging the lattice
Taman Sari on the beach
Related to - Environmental health | Bali 2011
By Mark O'Brien