The traditional village of Lembeng, Ketewel, Sukawati, is confronting a serious problem of roadside rubbish and trash abandonment that is unsightly and represents a public health hazard.
The traditional head (Bandesa) of Lembeng, I Ketut Sukandi, told Beritabali.com of his disgust for the careless and unthinking manner in which people are simply tossing rubbish along major roadsides and how these acts are serving to anger Ketewel residents.
“We have undertaken various efforts, including implementing ‘Perarem‘ (traditional village regulations) that regulate waste management in customary areas. In reality, however, many people still do not comply with these regulations and continue to dump waste in the Lembeng Traditional Village area, especially along the edge of Bali’s heavily traveled Baypass highway,” said Sukandi.
The village head said that the discarded trash piling up on the area’s roadsides pollutes the environment, creates noxious odors, and damages the aesthetic of the traditional village. “This is very disturbing. Not only is it an eyesore, but it also leaves a negative impression on visitors and people traveling along the roadside,” Sukandi added.
Ironically, the piles of discarded trash line the side of Bali’s I.B. Mantra Bypass, only several hundred meters away from a closed waste disposal and processing plant (TPST) in Ketwel.
In facing the trash problem, Ketut Sukandi hopes that the government will take concrete steps to overcome the waste problem in Ketewel Village. He also underlined the importance of public awareness to stop littering.
“We really need government support, both in the form of adequate waste management facilities and law enforcement against violators. However, what is no less important is the awareness of the community itself. Without their active participation, all our efforts will not have an optimal effect,” he said.
“I believe that if there is awareness and cooperation, our environment will be cleaner and more comfortable to live in and visit,” concluded Sukandi.
In addition, he hopes there will be stricter supervision of litterers and more intensive education efforts to increase public compliance with existing regulations.
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