There's a growing global movement taking action to maintain environmental sustainability and deal with the serious issue of trash, especially plastics along coastlines. And on an island like Bali, where the local economy relies so heavily on the tourism industry, clean beaches and thriving marine ecosystems are critical.

Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry is aware of the urgency and coordinates 'Coastal Clean Up' activities across the archipelago. Last week the spotlight was on Bali and targeted the beaches of Nyanyi in Tabanan, Tanjung Benoa in Badung, Masceti in Gianyar, Penuktukan in Buleleng, Gilimanuk Bay in Jembrana, Segara Kusamba in Klungkung, as well as Denpasar's, Matahari Terbit, Biawung and Mertasari.

The 'Coastal Clean Up' at Nyanyi beach was led by the District Secretary of Tabanan, Wirna Ariwangsa accompanied by Section Head of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Iwan Nirawandi, along with representatives of the armed forces from the 9th Regional Military Command (Kodam IX) Udayana, Bali police, staff from all Technical Implementation Units (UPT) in Tabanan Regency, students and many members of Nyanyi village.

Wirna told reporters Nyanyi beach was "a small, meaningful and rewarding step," and it would be the first of many more 'Coastal Clean Ups' to come in Tabanan.

He hoped the exercise would be a catalyst for other areas to do the same as it not only protects the environment and creates a more pleasant place for people to be but it also prevents the spread of disease.

Meanwhile on Nusa Dua's Tanjung Benoa beach a similar 'Coastal Clean Up' exercise took place.

Brigadier General Kasuri, Chief of Staff of Kodam IX Udayana, thanked the Ministry of Environment and Forestry along with around 3,000 personnel from the armed forces, Bali police, Bali Provincial Government, Badung District Government, students and the communities of Tanjung Benoa and Nusa Dua for coming together to take part. "We want to work together with the community to make Bali cleaner," he told reporters.

Environmental Pollution and Damage Control Director General MR Karliansyah said the 'Coastal Clean Up' was aimed at raising people's awareness as much as anything else. "Hopefully, this activity can make people more aware regarding littering on the beach, change their bad habits and help reduce the use of plastic," he added. 

Sources: Okezone, Akurat, Bali Post, Antara News, The Jakarta Post

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