The Excoticism of Eco-tourism

The rich and unique culture of Bali being maintained from generation to generation is the reason tourists never bore of visiting this island. But Bali doesn't just offer its exalted culture; eco-tourism also has a part in the allure of Bali.

The culture of Bali will always be the lead in attraction for tourists. This is because the community closely follows Hindu teachings, which give a strong sense of spirit and dictate their daily behavior. Customs, traditions and religion have melded into one in Bali endowing the mixture with a strong sense of stability. Large temples still play a vital role and the rituals are still carried out with full devotion by the Balinese despite their increasingly modern lifestyles, perhaps even with an increasing dedication.

According to the sociologist and tourism observer, Dr. I. Gde Pitana, the Balinese are unconsciously disproving Weber's theory concerning the relationship between wealth and culture. Weber's theory proposes that a societies culture will decline in the face of increasing wealth. It seems that in Bali the reverse is true, with an increase in wealth of the society, the cultural values are adhered to ever more tightly. The visitor can observe any ceremony or ritual in Bali to see that the sacredness of the ceremony and the devotion of the people are anything but lacking.

Tourists do not just come to enjoy the cultural attractions but also the beautiful geography of Bali. Tourist operators offer many choices of eco-tours such as packages to lake and Mount Batur, the rice fields of Jatiluwih, Tabanan, River rafting, or diving, among others.

There are in fact many factors involved in building up eco-tourism, probably the main consideration is a means of preserving nature. It is a simple equation, if the object of eco-tourism is destroyed, there will be no more tourists to visit the site. To avoid this, eco-tour companies need to work together to create programs that are environmentally friendly.

Gde Pitana, who is also the secretary of the Bali Culture and Tourism Research Center, firmly believes that by keeping the concept of Tri Hita Karana in mind, the environment will be protected. This concept stresses the maintenance of harmony between humans and God, humans and the environment and humans amongst themselves. "Eco-tourism supports cultural tourism as a means of diversification and persuades tour companies to proceed carefully in looking for alternative objects of tourism," states Pitana.

Eco-tourism began to affect Bali in 1991 when European tourists became tired of living metropolitan lifestyles and was attracted to a more back to nature environment. As an answer, tour companies began offering the Batur area as a refreshing, relaxing alternative. Aside from the natural beauty of its lava flows, Mount Batur is also an enjoyable mountain to climb spurring various trekking tours in the area. After a long day's trek, the tourists can relax in the natural sulfur hot springs at Toyabungkah. Across the lake, the ancient village of Trunyan offers yet another attraction with its amazing means of placing the dead above ground.

In the Tabanan district, three beautiful lakes and a lush forest can be enjoyed. More and more complete facilities are appearing in the Bedugul area offering more amenities in this comfortable, cool and clean climate. Within this area, many sites can be visited, all offering the natural beauty of the surrounding flora and fauna.

Mount Agung in the district of Karangasem is yet another excellent eco-tourism destination. From this, the tallest mountain in Bali, hikers can enjoy a beautiful tropical sunrise in frigid temperatures. On a clear day Mount Rinjani on neighboring Lombok can be seen, not to mention most of the island of Bali sloping down to the sea beneath.

The eastern tip of Bali offers one of the most natural and unspoiled habitats in Bali, the West Bali National Park. It is here that the almost extinct Bali Starling resides amongst many other unique and beautiful flora and fauna in this protected forest. To protect the area, visitors must receive a permit from the government before being allowed to enter.

Adventure sports, considered a part of eco-tourism in the 90's are continually being modified such as white water rafting. Rafting is essentially a combination of adventure sports and tourism because of its being able to offer the tourist both an adrenaline rush as well as a scenic tour of parts of Bali almost inaccessible by any other means. Two rivers, the Ayung and Tukad Unda, have been the main focus for the local rafting operators.

Bali's lakes have begun to rival the ocean in what they have to offer. Bedugul, for instance, offers fishing, para sailing, water skiing and trekking along its shores to rival ocean sports. However, those who prefer the ocean cam find just about any sport to satisfy them; para-sailing (Nusa Dua), diving (North Bali), snorkeling (North Bali), wind surfing (Sanur) and Bali has some excellent waves for surfing (south and west Bali).

"Eco-tourism in Bali is not as good as in Africa which is home to incredibly diverse flora and fauna. However, Bali has its own character for attracting tourists, primarily a natural beauty and a lush green landscape," explains the head coordinator of Parasparos. (Parasparos is an organization of executives and tourism professionals in Bali dedicated to preserving the local environment.)

Further, Suryawan points out that what is meant by eco-tourism is not just about natural objects of tourism but also the ecosystem as a whole. Tour companies must introduce the existing flora and fauna like the Bali Starling and the turtles in West Bali while inviting the tourist to join in their conservation. "So its like a campaign to preserve the existing ecosystem. Not the opposite, the exploitation of nature for a profit," he states.

Several organizations along with the WWF (World Fund for Nature) held a "reff check" the month of July throughout Indonesia. The coral reefs of Menjangan Island and Tulamben were the focus of the program in Bali. The goals of this check are to record statistics on the condition and to use the data to improve the conditions from year to year. "The WWF program will indirectly assist dive operators because it will improve the condition of the coral and the undersea environment including the shells, fish and seaweed," explains Suryawan.

The expansion of eco-tourism has also been enriched by agro tourism, which introduces the agriculture products of certain areas. Like the treks that take tourists though the terraced rice fields of Tabanan or Gianyar, agro-tourism also intends to introduce the fruits and vegetables of Bali in their natural surroundings. Agro-tourists are able to see the methods of planting, caring for and the picking of the oranges in Kintamani, Bangli as one example. They are also invited to pick oranges themselves and savor the fruit while enjoying the beautiful views of the surrounding panorama.

When durian season comes, the road from Denpasar to Bedugul is lined with kiosks selling this spiny fruit. Often the tourists are taken into the jungle on difficult paths to see the durian free for themselves or pick their own durian. Durian tress are rarely planted as a crop, rather the trees are wild and therefore sometimes difficult to find.

In the cool Bedugul climate, tourists interested in tropical plants can also visit cabbage patches and strawberries are relatively large and quite sweet with a bright red color. Visitors are invited to watch the planting or picking of the strawberries in their respective seasons.

Agro-tourism is very encouraging for the farmers because they receive additional income from the tourists, which helps to supplement their usually minimal profits. Tourist sites that fall into the category of ecotourism are receiving increasing attention as to their natural condition so that they can continue to be admired. The preservation of our environment is indeed everyone's responsibility so that future generations may continue to enjoy this beautiful earth. (taken form: Bali Tribune)