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Indonesia

Banjar Anyar

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Conservation benefit: Support of 1,977 acres of no-take rainforest in perpetuity

Community benefit: Community building

Date Approved: 07.2010

Forest

This project protects forest, preventing the release of greenhouse gases and reducing erosion that damages coastal and ocean ecosystems.

The village of Banjar Anyar sits 2,200 feet above sea level on the slopes of Mount Batukaru on the Indonesian island of Bali. Most of the 380 residents farm small plots of coffee, cacao, fruit, and rice. The forest of Mount Batukaru is home to many birds, the critically endangered pangolin (scaly anteater), and leaf-eating monkey. Traditionally, the people of Banjar Anyar have cared for approximately 1,977-acres of rainforest above their village.

In an agreement with Seacology, Banjar Anyar has pledged to permanently protect 1,977 acres of rainforest. Seacology will fund construction of a community center, which the village will use for meetings, Balinese dance and music practices, and youth activities.

Banjar Anyar is adjacent to Sarinbuana Village, where Seacology funded a similar library, music, and dance building in 2006. Sarinbuana also created a permanent no-take rainforest reserve, of 1,975 acres.

Project Updates

November 2014

Program managers Karen Peterson and Mary Randolph visited Banyar Anyar in October. The building is finished and being used. Stonemasons were adding beautiful decorative touches in the ornate Balinese style.

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May 2013

According to Indonesia Field Representative Arnaz Mehta, “I just had the pleasure of visiting Banjar Anyar again to meet with some of the village leaders there and to check out the Seacology funded community meeting hall. They just finished tiling most of the floor of the community building in time for a huge ceremony that took place last month for the blessing of various new buildings in their local temple. They tell me that the community building was a very useful place in greeting and gathering all the Balinese guests who came to the ceremony, of which there were hundreds of people, including the governor of Bali. They were very glad to have this building for this purpose but said they often use the building for social and cultural meetings. Conservation-wise, the forest is in good shape and protection is ongoing. Monitors from the local forestry department visit every couple of months to survey the condition of the forest. Outside of the protected forest the villagers have been planting bamboo along their rivers to stop erosion and are starting to plant durian trees on a village-wide basis.”

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September 2011

Indonesia Field Representative Arnaz Mehta visited the community in late September, and met with the villagers and the project manager. According to Arnaz, “The building is a substantial two level building instead of just a single level as was originally planned. The villagers have put in a significant amount of volunteer time and donations from village funds into the construction of the building. While the building is 90% completed and functioning as a community meeting place, the finishing elements (plastering, paint, tiles and wood carvings) remain to be completed, and will be finished as funds are collected from the community to do so. The villagers estimate that approximately another $5,000 will be needed to entirely complete the building but are not expecting Seacology to donate this. They are very grateful for the contribution from Seacology and have acknowledged that had they scaled down the building to what was originally planned then the building would have been complete with the funds given to them. The building is currently being used to hold meetings and when it is complete it will be used for gamelan practices and Balinese dance practices. The forest remains in good care and no infractions in the ‘no-take’ zone have occurred. The village is being vigilant about all activities in the forest.”

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June 2011

According to Indonesia Field Representative Arnaz Mehta, as of March 2011 the building was progressing very well, with all concrete work done, as well as the roof construction. The Balinese carvers were working on the doorways. The community has donated a significant amount of volunteer labor to the project. The final payment for the project was sent in March and the building was expected to be completed in the next few months.

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January 2011

Seacology Program Manager Karen Peterson and Indonesia Field Representative Arnaz Mehta visited this project in October 2010. Despite unusually heavy rains in the region, the site has been excavated, the foundation and rough slab for the first level have been poured, and main supports have been erected. Village men are volunteering on the project on a rotating basis so that they can also attend to their crops. The building is being constructed in a beautiful location adjacent to a small temple; the details of the new building will reflect the architecture of the temple. The village is home to a large temple that is on the boundary of the protected forest area, and the community is looking forward to using the new building to host planning meetings. The building will have storage on the bottom floor and a traditional tiled meeting space on the upper level, with open sides in the traditional Balinese manner.

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