Bangli, Peace and Harmony

Penglipuran Bamboo Forest Remains Preserved

Penglipuran village (Bangli regency), famous for its unique tradition, culture and dwelling house architecture, has succeeded in preserving its 75-hectare bamboo forest located north of the village, one of foreman, Drs. I Wayan Perten, told Bali Travel News recently.

According to him, members of the Desa Adat village institution have played a consistent role from generation to generation in the preservation because their relationship with authorized right of the village institution upon the land, termed by locals as “ayahan desa” or village service.
Part of the “desa adat” members belong to priveleged members or “krama pengarep”. Each of them is given 8-acre house yard, 40-acre agricultural land, 70-acre bamboo land, 60-acre land area of river (riverside) irrigation, and 25-acre rice field.

Untransferability
The pieces of land might not be transferred to anyone without being known by Penglipuran “Desa Adat” authority, Mr. Perten said, adding he is certainly confident that the bamboo forest would continue to exist for more than a 100-year period.
Penglipuran traditional village was decorated with Kapaltaru award by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in 1996 for its success in preserving the bamboo forest. This forest consists of several kinds of bamboo:

1. “Tiying Jajang”, the kind used as house construction material
2. “Tiying Tali” to be used to produce rope, plaiting works, house roof, etc.
3. “Tiying Ampel, withshort segments and
4. “Tiying Selem” which is black.

The community members who are given pieces of bamboo forest ground usually fell bamboo trees once a year by selective cutting, leaving the younger ones intact. Bamboo in the market is five thousand rupiah per piece. Annually Penglipuran bamboo forest produces 750 thousand pieces of cut down bamboo. (Suka)