Here's a piece Katrinka wrote on the demonstration at the beach we mainly go to.
Tolak Reklamasi Benoa
Sanur Bali Demonstration
Sunday 17 July 2016
South Bali is known for i its
charming rice terraces, white sand beaches, abundant fresh coconut water and tropical fruits, but underneath this brave
exterior lie huge environmental issues on this island of the Gods and
Goddesses. The overload of plastic and trash litter is simply the beginning.
Overbuilding is king and foremost in this realm is the reclamation plan in the
area of Benoa Bay,
now declared sacred by Balinese high priests. This duel
between Governor Mangku Pastika and the voice of the people regarding the
reclamation plan of Tanjung Benoa has been going on for quite some time.
Banners
and T shirts were seen from east, west and south Bali on Sunday, 17 July, 2016
in Sanur haling from Negara, Kesiman, Klungkung, Legian, Kuta, Denpasar and Sanur
to name a few were seen. Maybe 1000 or more
mostly young Bali men but some young women formed a human shield blocking the Bypass
at Jalan Buyan and carrying large flags declaring TOLAK REKLAMASI as far as the
eye could see for several hours beginning at 2 PM. The rally called for the revocation of
former President Yudhoyono’s Presidential Decree No. 51 of 2014 that authorized
the development of lands once declared as a protected nature reserve. Leading
was a traditional baleganjur orchestra. Balinese offerings were made to the ocean and Hyang
Baruna – the Lord of the Seas.
The procession then
marched to Segara Beach for music ranging from Reggae and then the hard rock sounds
of Superman is Dead set up on a stage at the end of Segara Jetty. It was low tide so the scene was complete
with Mosh pit. The air was fllled Infectious energy. The event was sponsored by
the traditional village
of Sanur, and involved the villages of Sanur, Intaran and Penyaringan.
The protestors
introduced a new element to their cause by carrying a 70-meter-long trail of
cloth to symbolize the 700-hectares that will be reclaimed by the project. A village official proclaimed that the people
of Sanur will oppose the proposed reclamation project “until their last drop of
blood is shed”.
