East Bali Watershed Initiative is commited to protect East Bali: starting from the slope of Mnts. Abang & Agung,  down to the coast. Our project covers three villages: Ban village, Kubu village and Tulamben in Karangasem regency. The rich natural resources with the limited human resource to manage the area it is what drives the East Bali Watershed Initiative Projects to facilitate community outreach, restoration, education and stewardship projects.

 

The are two projects in our agenda:

 

• Community Conservation Forest, Ranger Training and Nature Trail set up

There are ±14.857 ha of government protected forrest in the slope of Mt. Abang – Mt. Agung with only 7 rangers in charge to monitor the land, bird poaching and illegal logging has become serious issue.

 

East Bali Watershed initiative create CCFN project to face the issue. CCFN project is located in 4 hamlets of Ban village whereas the community live next to the government forest, they are Cegi hamlet, Pengalusan hamlet, Bunga hamlet, and hamlet Daya. We work with these gateway community to help the government rangers monitor the protected forest as well as setting up a community forest where we can revive the habitat of Bali Starling while generatinng a better income for the community though fruit trees planting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Sustainable Cashew Agriculture

After the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963, part of East Bali land become very barren,  including the lower part of Ban village and whole area of kubu village. Cashews became one main commodity of the area. Cashew trees in East Bali also work to stabilize the soils from erosion. However, many of the farmers are concerned as  plant disease and pests in the area decrease yields. 

 

EBWI, at the request of the community, decided to help the cashew farmers to increase the production of the cashew through scion grafting and holding workshops for the farmers where they can learn on how to treat cashew tree disease and pest with the experts.

We will also ensure the sustainability of the cashew farming practice while maintain the bargaining postion of the farmers in the market, by assisting in facilitating cooperative meetings and organization. To achieve these objectives, we are working with the community to initiate organic and fairtrade certifications as part of the Sustainable Cashew Agriculture project.