Bali Launches Eco-Tourism Program in Nyambu Village

Tabanan (Antara Bali) - Bali officially launched an eco-tourism program in Nyambu Village in Kediri Subdistrict of Tabanan District on Friday (April 29) which offers ecological and historical tourism, featuring Balinese culture.

The Nyambu Ecotourism Village package was developed over a period of 18 months by the local administration, in collaboration with Wisnu Foundation, PT Langgeng Kreasi Jayaprima, a joint venture with Diageo, a beverage company, and the British Council.

"This tourism package offers nature and cultural potentials of Nyambu Village," Chief of Nyambu Village Ida Bagus Putu Sunarbawa said during the launch here on Friday.

The village, spread over an area of 380 hectares, still maintains 61 percent of its land area as rice fields and protects its 22 natural springs.

Visitors can also see the entire story of Bali in one village and how the rice fields have been developed and preserved over centuries through the local irrigation system called subak.

The ancient village has preserved its historical timeline which can be seen in the 67 temples built in 8th century during the Kediri Kingdom until the 13th century in the Majapahit era.

Director of British Council Indonesia Sally Goggin said the program of ecotourism development was a commitment between the government of Indonesia and the United Kingdom to pursue sustainable tourism development.

"It is aimed at stimulating economic growth in the village by building the capacities of the local community to manage the potential they have," Goggin said.

Before the launch, local people were trained for 18 months and the process was facilitated by the British Council and the Wisnu Foundation.

Following the launch, various training activities will take place to strenghthen the villages social tourism enterprises such as community-based social enterprise management, financial management, a course on English for tourism and training in marketing.

The ecotourism activities will later be managed by the residents themselves in order to contribute to the empowerment of the villagers of Nyambu and provide wider economic and social benefits.

"People of Nyambu have great potential. It is an opportunity for them to perform," District Head of Tabanan Ni Putu Eka Wiryastuti said.

Meanwhile Diageos Chief Representative Adam Djokovic said through the eco-tourism package, the local community is involved in mapping and planning the tourism potential in the village.

"Besides, it also has the chance to re-explore the long history of their village," Djokovic said. (WDY)