Garbage from the sea on Bali's beaches is not a new phenomenon. But now the problem seems to be spiraling out of control. People should also take responsibility for this.
Bali has been suffering from a huge garbage problem for years. But the flood of rubbish that has inundated many beaches and riverbanks in recent days is frightening even the Indonesian holiday island – and making headlines in local media and social networks. The Bali Sun newspaper reported that Kedonganan and Jimbaran beaches in the area around Kuta, popular with surfers, as well as the town of Pekatu, home to the famous “Dreamland Beach”, were particularly badly affected.
Strong westerly winds often wash entire carpets of waste off Bali's shores from the sea and ships. The garbage collection team, along with volunteers, has already collected 100 tons of garbage since Wednesday, the newspaper report continued. And there are “much more.”
Tourists participate Cleaning activities
Plastic waste is very difficult for people in Bali. According to “Poly Sun”, many holiday guests participate in collection campaigns especially on dirty beaches.
Others who dreamed of vacations with picture-postcard beaches have been disappointed by the situation. “I'm in Bali right now – from Jimbaran to Uluwatu there's plastic everywhere on the beach and in the sea,” a disappointed holidaymaker wrote on Facebook on a Bali travel forum: “Is there even a plastic-free beach now?”
scarcity Environmental awareness Jointly liable
Apart from weather events, many Balinese lack the necessary environmental awareness, say environmentalists. Many residents throw their garbage behind their houses, on banks and rivers. Giri Mariani, who organizes the garbage collection campaign, said, “We hope that the government will be more proactive in waste management and improve its knowledge among school children.
According to the United Nations, Indonesia is the second largest plastic polluter in the world after China. “The country produces 3.2 million tons of unregulated plastic waste annually, of which about 1.29 million tons end up in the ocean,” says a 2020 report by the United Nations Environment Programme. With over 274 million people, Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country and the world's largest island nation.
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