The Rubbish Effect

by Barrie on September 25, 2008

by Barrie | September 25th, 2008  

I was reading an article the other day about the rivers in Denpasar being badly polluted and they really are. No doubt you have seen the murky waters on your visits to Denpasar. You will find just about anything discarded nonchalantly into them and in a manner of hoping-it-will-disappear. But it doesn’t and on an island so environmentally conscious it seems bizarre. Sure, for centuries Indonesians have used the rivers or streams to wash in, pee and shit in as well as wash their clothes in. Over the decades there has been a surmountable increase in tourism and with this comes the plastics and goods used that are discarded after use. But let’s not blame the tourists alone. They are only part of it and I’m not saying every tourist is a polluter. Households in Bali, and I’m not saying everyone, sees the rivers as a disposal site hoping all the refuse will float magically out to sea and it does. Then it is the ocean’s creatures that suffer.

I have seen pollution on a disgusting scale, not only in Bali but also across the archipelago, and no matter how persistent the environmental groups try to change the situation for the better, they are just pushing shit up hill in their efforts. What we all need to do, tourists and locals alike, is utilise the scarce rubbish bins in the streets or better still store your rubbish until you find a place where garbage is collected. Not rivers, along the side of the street or into someone’s front yard. Bali is a beautiful island but it is slowly being polluted. If we all just did our bit then perhaps the island would be even more beautiful.

A very murky river flowing through Denpasar

All the rubbish that washed up during the tides on Kuta Beach earlier this year

Where all the crap ends up – out in the ocean via the mangroves

{ 8 comments }

H. Tjia September 25, 2008 at 12:24 pm
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Indonesia has to teach their people in regards to keeping their environment clean. Most rivers in the cities of Indonesia are all dirty and polluted. There are other countries besides Indonesia who have a similar problems.

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Steve September 26, 2008 at 12:08 am
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Hi Barrie, will you be in Bali December?
I arrive on 20th. hope to see you, Steve

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Barrie September 26, 2008 at 12:41 am
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Hi Steve,

Seems I’ll be having Xmas in Oz this year but plans do change. I am booked to arrive in Bali early Januari if you are still there mate. Be great to catch up with you.

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Steve September 26, 2008 at 9:04 pm
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Ok great Barrie, i will be there till end of January.. I guess i will find you at the Prawita?
Go for a swim in the gene pool!

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Barrie September 27, 2008 at 12:05 am
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Hi Steve,

Shit hot mate!. We can finally catch up for a few coldies and a chinwag. I told Candika you would be there and she is looking forward to seeing you again. If all goes as planned I will be arriving on the island on the 9th. Yeah, you can find me at my usual haunt!

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Steve September 28, 2008 at 6:18 pm
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Great Barrie,it will be a pleasure to see you and lovely Candika.See you there!

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vickey November 24, 2008 at 6:37 pm
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i love indonesia but its polluted

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kaci February 1, 2009 at 9:14 am
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hey =)
i recently went to bali and ive seen how disgusting the pollution over there is.
im making a website to save the surf in bali and i was just wonderin if i could use ur pic of kuta beach ??
cheers dude

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