BALI — The vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrations at Kuta Beach, Bali, resulted in mounds of leftover trash. Renowned as one of Bali’s signature beaches, Kuta Beach is a prime tourist spot. Post-celebration, the beach was marred by litter, diminishing its natural beauty. In response, Dompet Dhuafa Volunteers (DDV) in Bali spearheaded a “Beach Clean Up!” campaign on Monday (1/1/2024).
“Immense gratitude to our DDV Bali team. This Beach Clean Up! effort showcases the environmental consciousness among Bali’s youth. We aspire for this initiative to continually motivate others to positively impact Bali’s environment,” Fadly Hassan, head of Dompet Dhuafa Bali, commended the cleanup operation.
The pervasive issue of plastic waste reaching Indonesian beaches and seas is alarming. The onset of this problem traces back to unmanaged land-based plastic waste. A staggering 80 percent of oceanic waste originates from terrestrial human activities.
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Due to its buoyancy, plastic waste tends to accumulate on the ocean’s surface during calm periods. However, when influenced by waves or tides, it drifts to the coast, entangling in coral reefs or coastal vegetation, endangering not only marine organisms but also the coastal ecosystems.
The “Beach Clean Up!” initiative reflects DDV Bali’s dedication to maintaining Bali’s pristine environment for visitors’ enjoyment. During this cleanup, the team successfully removed over 100 Kg of waste, primarily comprising glass bottles, plastic items, and spent fireworks.
Nur Kholis Abdillah, leader of DDV Bali, had foreseen the trash accumulation following the New Year’s Eve event. Hence, he mobilized the DDV Bali crew to tackle the litter at Kuta Beach.
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“Last night’s event (New Year’s Eve) attracted a large crowd of locals and tourists, inevitably leading to significant trash accumulation. We initiated this cleanup to preserve Bali’s natural allure, especially here in Kuta, ensuring it remains pristine for all to appreciate,” Kholis stated.
Furthermore, the “Beach Clean Up!” is a staple activity in DDV Bali’s calendar, executed across various Balinese locales, particularly beaches. Through such endeavors, DDV Bali aims to heighten community awareness regarding waste issues. They urge everyone to actively participate in environmental conservation, especially in tourist zones like beaches.
“This activity is a regular part of our schedule. We hope it serves as an inspiration and motivates the community to become more mindful of waste management. It’s our collective duty to safeguard the beauty of Bali’s beaches, a responsibility that extends beyond just governmental efforts,” Kholis concluded. (Dompet Dhuafa/Bali)