The Denpasar city administration has set a target to restore the island’s image by developing Serangan Island into a paradise of sea turtles.
Head of the Denpasar Environment Agency Anak Agung Sudarsana said in the Searangan Island Festival here on Friday that his office will bring some 500 green turtle seedlings (tukik) from Banyuwangi, East Java, to Serangan Island.
“The project is aimed at increasing the turtle species on Serangan Island, because most of the turtles on the coastal are Lekang sea turtles. Bisides the sea turtle population, we are also trying to increase turtle species,” he said.
In addition to the conservation of the sea turtles, his office is also improving the habitat of sea turtles, because the reclamation of the Serangan Island had caused damage to the sea turtle habitat.
It was planned that the improvement of the habitat of the turtles will promote he role of the community under self-help programs facilitated by the Denpasar city government.
Turtle conservation programs with community involvement are expected to become a pilot project in Bali, he said, adding that this concept is also expected to become a tourist attraction.
In addition, the local traditional village regulations require people to get involved in conserving the sea turtles. The ruling also imposes penalties for catching and selling the sea turtles.
“So, anyone caught selling or any other illegal handling of the turtles, will be fined 200 thousand rupiah for each turtle,” he said.
Predicated of Serangan Island
The initiative of Denpasar City Government through Industry and Trade Services (Disperindag) of Denpasar organized an activity on Serangan Island socialized on Wednesday (Nov 11). Unluckily, the socialization entitled “The Fascination of Serangan Island” or Serangan Festival graced with a slight stain. It originated when one of the participants, I Made Mangku, once put into question the predicate born by Serangan Island currently.
The chaotic at Parja Utama Hall began from the question raised by Made Mangku before the organizer of socialization. In that meeting, his party mentioned if would like to drive and make Serangan area as an object and tourism asset, it should be re-assessed thoroughly. Now, the image of Serangan Island remained not good. Many travel agents complained sbout the lower course of South Denpasar neglecting the illegal charges. Even, the most serious issue told that Serangan Island was the location of turtle slaughtering. “I suggest, if would like to make Serangan as tourism area, it should be re-assessed first. Do not let if such poor image remains to exist up to now,” revealed an environmental NGO activist from Sanur.
Of course, the question of Made Mangku was seriously responded by the figure from Serangan, chiefly its village apparatus. Head of Serangan Village, I Made Poniman, was not left behind. Similarly, he was restless on seeing the statement delivered by Mangku. “I was surprised what Mr. Mangku by saying so in this meeting,” said Poniman disappointedly.
His party acknowledged, as a native man to Serangan he was very objected to the accusation. “I was surprised and disappointed, whereas this meeting is intended to discuss about the agenda of Serangan Festival. Why did he stray from the path?” he said.
Poniman said that illegal charges mentioned by Mangku were not clear. “If he meant the parking charges, its contribution is clear. It is earmarked for the village and local community of Serangan. Moreover, the current arrangement is better,” he explained.
Regarding to accusation as the place of turtle slaughtering, his party confessed to feel objected. According to him, such predicate was very rude. Today, the ones allowed to look for or purchase the turtle on Serangan Island were those with particular purpose such as ritual activities. “IN the past, the mass slaughtering existed. However, it is no more carried out today. The demand of turtle must be intended for ritual like that from Besakih, Lempuyang. Instead, most individual ordering the turtle were from Sanur for the need of rituals. Therefore, those turtles were not slaughtered haphazardly. Importantly, the profit was obtained by local village for social activities,” said Poniman to clarify the question of Mangku.
News by International Bali Post
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