Nuanu and Bali Tourism Board Back Batukaru Reforestation, With a Year of Monitoring Funded

26 August, Nuanu Creative City, Bali — Planting began today on 1,000 m² of forest around Pura Luhur Batukaru, continuing land preparation underway since mid-August. This project is part of the Bali Provincial Forestry Service's reforestation program, supported by the Nuanu Social Fund and the Bali Tourism Board representing the tourism sector.

A total of 100 trees — consisting of 30 banyan trees, 50 mahogany trees, and 20 cempaka (Magnolia champaca) trees — are being planted as part of the area's rehabilitation effort. The Nuanu Social Fund's support covers seedlings, planting, and twelve months of maintenance and survival monitoring after planting. This maintenance includes watering, replacing failed seedlings, and protecting the area — important steps to ensure the reforestation process can develop and endure over the long term. Survival data will be published once the one-year monitoring period ends.

This planting is also expected to serve as an initial model of collaboration between government, community, and the private sector — one that can be replicated in other reforestation efforts across Bali. Through the Bali Tourism Board's involvement, this approach opens space for broader participation from the tourism industry and other private-sector partners in the future.

The Bali Provincial Forestry Service has designated Batukaru as one of its priority reforestation areas because of its ecological role for the areas downstream. The slopes of Mount Batukaru form part of one of Bali's key water catchment areas, sustaining 20 subak irrigation systems across Catur Angga Batukaru and seven villages — Jatiluwih, Tengkudak, Penatahan, Tegalinggah, Rejasa, Sangketan, and Wongaya Gede [1]. When vegetation cover on highland slopes is reduced, the soil retains less water and becomes more prone to erosion, with impacts felt as far as the terraced farmland below. The impact can then be felt as far as the terraced farmland below.

"Reforestation cannot simply be measured by counting how many trees are planted. What matters more is ensuring the area regains good ecological function. That's why the direction, targets, and timeframe for recovery must be determined based on the ecological conditions of each specific area, so that the efforts made truly benefit the environment and the community," said I Ketut Subandi, S.Hut., M.Si., Head of Watershed Management and Community Empowerment, Bali Provincial Forestry and Environment Service.

The three species were selected with the Bali Provincial Forestry Service and local technical staff based on their suitability to Batukaru's forest and soil conditions. Banyan trees also carry special value at temple sites across Bali. This reforestation effort not only supports ecological recovery but is also connected to the surrounding cultural landscape.

The activity is coordinated with the Jero Bendesa Adat and the pengempon (temple custodians) and management of Pura Luhur Batukaru, and the local village government. The community in this area has looked after the Batukaru forest for generations and will stay involved in the program's maintenance, monitoring, workforce, and decision-making.

"Reforestation isn't finished once the trees are planted. In fact, most of the maintenance needs and risks occur after planting," said Auditya Sari, Head of Nuanu Social Fund. "That's why we're funding the process for one full year and will publish the trees' survival rate after 12 months, whatever the result. Our role is to support the reforestation agenda led by the Bali Provincial Forestry Service, while also respecting the knowledge and experience of the community that has looked after this landscape long before we were here."

The Bali Tourism Board supports this initiative as an industry association partner, linking the tourism sector to efforts protecting a water catchment area that's an important resource for the sustainability of Bali's tourism industry. The Bali Tourism Board will also continue to explore collaboration opportunities with other industry partners to encourage private-sector participation in similar initiatives.

"Every hotel, restaurant, and villa on this island uses water that originally comes from rainfall captured by slope areas like Batukaru," said Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board. "The tourism industry has a direct interest in this water catchment area's ability to keep functioning. This isn't just a charitable activity from the tourism sector — it's part of maintaining the resources that sustain the continuity of our business."

The involvement of Bali's provincial government, local government, local communities, the tourism sector, and the private sector is expected to lay the foundation for a broader model of collaboration. This approach opens opportunities for more partners to support government-led reforestation programs suited to the ecological needs of each area.

Planting is scheduled to continue until 2 September. The trees' survival, growth, and maintenance will be monitored over the following twelve months, with monitoring results to be published in September, 2027.

Footnote [1]: Subak Spirit. (2024, November 7). Napak Tilas Catur Angga Batukaru: Subak, sawah terasering, dan masa depan wisata Bali. https://subakspirit.com/2024/11/07/napak-tilas-catur-angga-batukaru-subak-sawah-terasering-dan-masa-depan-wisata-bali/

Photo Credit: Nuanu Creative City