Coral Day sends message of coral reef conservation
Wasti Atmodjo, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Fri, 04/23/2010 11:49 AM |
Hundreds of people gathered Thursday on Melasti beach in Serangan, Denpasar, to hold a religious ritual called "cleaning the earth", during which they planted thousands of coral stems to commemorate Earth Day, which fell on April 22.
Eri Damayanti, head of the event's organizing committee, said the event also commemorated the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 as well as Coral Day.
"Coral Day is a new concept in campaigning for coral reef conservation. It is the day when everyone contributes to conserve coral reefs," Eri said.
"We hope that everybody can contribute to the conservation efforts now rather than waiting for financial support from institutions.
"It doesn't have to be today, but at least one day every year."
Other events were held simultaneously across Indonesia to commemorate Coral Day, including in Nusa Penida (Klungkung), Tanjung Benoa (Nusa Dua) and Bondalem village (Buleleng), as well in the Thousands Islands (Jakarta), Pangandaran (West Java), Hari Island (South East Sulawesi), Maratua Island and Bontang (East Kalimantan).
Coral Day efforts were focused on Serangan, which has suffered widespread coral destruction since the early 1990s.
In Serangan, 1,359 coral stems were planted in 39 scaffolding structures, forming a 100-square-meter garden. The corals were spread on the sea bed in the shapes of tables and barrels.
"We placed nine barrel-like structures at the center, and put the table-like structures around them. The planting area also serves as a transplantation and conservation zone," said event coordinator Wayan Patut.
Patut, together with other fishermen, has carried out coral reef transplantations for years. So far, he and his team have replaced coral in two hectares out of five at their coral plantation.
Patut said he expected other areas to undertake similar conservation programs.
"The world should know that we have contributed to natural conservation by planting corals even though we live in a remote area. I hope this program can be carried out nationwide and globally."
Ahsanal Kasasiah from the directorate of conservation and marine national park at the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry hailed Serangan as a good example of a community-based coral conservation in Indonesia .
He expected the Coral Day program to encourage all to undertake more conservation efforts.
"This is quite a catchy environmental campaign, and it needs to be made a regular fixture. We fully support this program."
Damayanti said coral reefs had been destroyed by increasing sea temperatures caused by global warming, as well as deforestation and fishing activities. Coral reefs have been devastated in the region and now only five percent remain.
"Therefore, campaigns to save coral reefs should be intensified because coral reefs are valuable to the economy, society and the environment," Damayanti said.
