Foreign Students Study Bali`s Subak Irrigation System

Gianyar, Bali (Antara Bali) -- Dozens of students from four countries who are participating in Bali International Field School (BIFS) 2015 are conducting a research on the traditional irrigation system named Subak, in Gianyar, Bali province.

"The students are from Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia," Chairperson of Indonesian Heritage Preservation Catrini Pratihari said here on Tuesday.

She added that the week-long study began on August 2 and will be done will August 8.

The research aims to identify ways to ensure the continuity of the Subak system, whose existence is increasingly threatened by the impacts of globalization.

One of the locations where the research is being conducted is Nyuh Kuning in Ubud, which is a village of traditional artists, Pratihari pointed out.

Moreover, Head of the Administration of Gianyar Anak Agung Bharata stated that this research being carried out was an honor for the administration and community of Gianyar.

"This is a good opportunity to build cultural relations among countries. The study is also in line with the commitment of the Gianyar administration to maintain the cultural heritage of Subak," he affirmed.

In addition, he expects the research to contribute well to the development of the Subak system.

"I hope BIFS can improve the public`s awareness of the irrigation system in Bali, which is characterized by traditional cultural concepts," Bharata remarked.

Subak is the water management system for paddy fields in Bali Island. It was developed in the 9th century.

For the Balinese, irrigation is not merely a system of providing water for plants. Here, water is used to construct a complex, artificial ecosystem.

This system comprises five terraced rice fields and water temples, covering nearly 20,000 hectares of land.

The temples are the main focus of this cooperative water management system of canals and weirs. (WDY)