The Challenge 

Indonesia encompasses more than 17,000 islands with 34 provinces, and over 238 million people. Its rainforests, rivers, and surrounding coral reefs earn Indonesia top ranking among the most biological diverse and species-rich regions on earth.  Not surprisingly, many of these resources are of vital economic importance – supporting both the food supply and livelihoods of the Indonesian people. As with any economy, population growth, increased consumption and rising demands on natural resources must be carefully balanced with the need for conservation measures that are necessary to both preserve threatened species of flora and fauna and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

 

The Urgency

Rapid, unchecked development, coupled with ever-increasing demands on natural resources threaten the incredible biodiversity in Bali.  Already, species extinction (Bali Tiger) or near extinction (Bali Starling) of iconic, endemic animals indicate a rapid decline in habitat.  Nearly 1000 reef fish species and 400 coral species are present on the islands coast, included 9 recently discovered fish and corals.  Without a targeted campaign to inform and empower these communities to protect and restore their watershed, as well as economic opportunities that promote long-term, sustainable practices, the cycle of poverty and resource decline will continue indefinitely.

 

Our Mission

The mission of the East Bali Watershed Initiative is to protect, restore and support environmentally sustainable economic development in East Bali. Working together with our partners at a grassroots community-level, we will:

• Protect forests on Mt Agung and Mt. Abang so that illegal logging and poaching will stop and future generations of Balinese and visitors will enjoy these unique and spiritual places.

• Protect marine life and archeology in Tulamben to ensure a thriving tourism economy that relies on biodiversity.

• Foster sustainable agricultural and tourism throughout the watershed so that the cycle of poverty and land degradation is permanently ended.

 

Our work

East Bali Watershed Initiative engages, informs and cultivates village-based leadership to promote, coordinate and carry-out conservation and sustainable agriculture projects.  Every village has a different vision and need and so the projects require diverse expertise: in the mountain villages, months of community engagement has identified key projects that villagers support (schoolchildren education, nature trails, forest restoration), at the coast we are collaborators in establishing a Marine Protected Area, informing communities about marine diversity and trash clean-up,  in agricultural areas our partners have created over 200 jobs based on sustainable products (cashews, dried fruits).