eco hub of north bali - a project with a grand vision for sustainable community

As we witnessed the dramatic collapse of Bali's tourism industry which basically is the backbone of Bali's economy as it supports over 60 percent of its economy. With the covid-19 collapse Bali needs sustainable economic solution now more than ever, even though the ecoconsciousness revolution of Bali has progressed a lot in the last two decades from obscurity to an essential focus but now is the time to take control.

The good thing is with the steadily growing efforts to engage more individuals yet small grass root communities providing viable solutions are making a positive contribution. Various projects from waste management, organic farming, reforestation,sustainable building practices and an array of community and individual education and empowerment initiatives offer hope during this time of crisis. The key to the success of these projects depends on the sound long-term collective visions which respect the natural resource, environment while reassessing the use of those resources to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their requirements.

A new initiative in Buleleng regency on the north coast of the island, North Bali Eco Hub (NBEH), has a broad-ranging vision. It also sets out to consolidate upon and fast track Bali’s ecoconscious revolution. Located in Bondalem village, west of Tejakula district, the hub has been years in the making and is the culmination of both local and international organizations. Its programs provide for trash management, environmental conservation, education, regional village-based tourism and local agricultural development. 

It is affiliated with ROLE and international non profit (Rivers, Ocean, Land, Ecology) foundation located in Nusa Dua. NBEH's another main focus and objective is to create an online directory which contains the information  of all or all clean and green sustainable groups in Bali and other parts of Indonesia. This dynamic platform is targeting to provide and promote a collaborative culture of networking and information exchange to develop Bali's eco conscious community and economy.

Our immediate priorities are to support the well-being of the local farmers and domestic waste management, so that our village is both clean and healthy,” said Kadek Ada Maja, project manager of the Bondalem Eco Village Community Group, a part of the EHNB project.

“The first step in realizing our priorities is the recently opened waste treatment plant set on a 500-square-meter site provided by the Bondalem village administration. The plant, which currently employs five full-time local staff, promotes the awareness of socially responsible garbage management, and to inspire the villagers to be active participants in the project.

“The plant, a first of its kind on the north coast of Bali, involves three levels of local government, involving cooperation between the village to the subdistrict of Tejakula, and the regency administration of Buleleng. The plants initial funding was secured from the international England environmental foundation WasteAid through ROLE.

“The treatment site features a covered workspace for garbage processing upon newly purchased tables. The garbage is washed and sorted into organic and recycled waste, and organic waste is processed into compost, which is packaged and locally sold. The non-organic waste, especially paper, plastic bottles and bags and glass items, are washed and prepared for recycling.”

Sustainability advisor of ROLE, Piet Van Zyl has recently made a purchase of two locally manufactured recycling machines, one is for crushing the glass while the other one is for shredding plastic bags and bottles that are received as a donation to the Bondalem Eco Village Community Project in July.

The glass crushed is then sold, which is mixed with concrete for decorative floors and paving in building projects in Bali. The plastic that gets shredded is bought by manufacturer in Singaraja which then uses it in the creation of different items including furniture thus it makes an eco system  providing income streams enabling self-sufficiency of the project.

ROLE is directly involved in the management of the hub, administrating training while working with the administration of the village to educate them on how the village tourism is a viable alternative to opening hotels in the area. The education covers the topics of waste management and ecology for not only the administration but the adults and the children as well.