Reclamation Of Benoa Bay Will Help Reduce Sedimentation: Developer

Jakarta, Oct 13 (Antara) - Revitalizing Benoa Bay in Bali province through land reclamation will reduce the sedimentation process there, a representative from developer PT Tirta Wahana Bali Indonesia (TWBI), Leemarvin Lieano, said here on Monday. "Without reclamation, sedimentation at Benoa Bay will become worse in 10 years from now. The goal of this reclamation is to not only preserve the bay area but also improve the tourism sector there," said Marvin. According to him, the reclamation project for 700 hectares out of the existing 1400 hectares of land in Benoa Bay (estimated at Rp30 trillion) will also encourage the local people to preserve the mangroves around the bay and operate water taxis. PT TWBI also plans to develop a botanical garden for the public, Marvin added. Asked about several local groups opposing the project, Marvin said he will engage more people in the reclamation plan through CSR activities. He admitted that his company was currently conducting an environmental assessment study of the project. In 2013, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika had revoked a decree on permit for Benoa Bay reclamation. "After taking into account various concerns, I decided to revoke the permit," Pastika recalled. According to the governor, he had earlier agreed on the reclamation plan but later changed his mind due to pressure from the public and environmentalists.