Bali Police have been speaking to the media about the impact that environmental degradation could have on the island’s tourism industry.
Bali, as a destination, is synonymous with pristine white sandy beaches, wild green jungles, and vast expanses of rice paddies, not to mention stunning coral reefs and active volcano peaks.
The Regional Police Chief for Bali, Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, has warned the public of the impact that habitat and land degradation, as well as poaching of animals, can have on Bali’s image as a world-class tourism destination.
Speaking at a press conference following the seizure of 29 green turtles that were being smuggled out of the province earlier this month.
On Sunday, 12th January, Jembrana Police thwarted a wildlife poaching and smuggling attempt in West Bali. A total of 29 endangered green turtles were recovered by police units and the provincial conservation agency, known as the BKSDA.
Of the 29 turtles rescued from the criminal operation, 19 were deemed healthy enough to be returned to the wild.
Five of the turtles are believed to have died due to dehydration and injuries incurred during the smuggling operation; a further five are undergoing rehabilitation with a local specialist turtle facility.
During the turtle release, the Head of the Bali BKSDA, Ratna Hendratmoko, told reporters, “We also appreciate and thank the Jembrana Police Satreskrim Team who have shown their commitment.”
“Not only in preserving nature and natural resources. But also being an exemplary example in law enforcement efforts against environmental crimes.”
Last week, Jembrana Police Chief AKBP Endang Tri Purwanto confirmed that an investigation had been launched and that further details regarding arrests would be shared as soon as possible.
He shared, “For now, we can’t convey it. We ask our media colleagues to be patient. I think our investigators have also worked hard because the disclosure of the case is also new.”
As further details have been revealed regarding the case, police are using the incident as a chance to call on the public and tourists to play an active role in supporting conservation efforts.
Inspector General Adityajaya told reporters on Thursday, 16th January, that “Bali tourism is dominated by natural tourist attractions. If nature is damaged, it will definitely have a negative impact on tourism.”
He added, “Green turtles are included as protecting animals. If they become extinct, the chain of nature will definitely be disturbed.”
He confirmed that the Jembrana Police Unit has arrested three men in connection with the turtle smuggling attempt. All three men are residents of Tuwed Village in West Bali and are known by their initials: SD, aged 55; AU, aged 32; and ML, aged 35.
SD is an individual already known to Bali Police and has already served time in prison for environment-related crimes, including illegal logging in 2019 and 2022 and a previous turtle smuggling operation in early 2204. AU has previously been found guilty of theft.
AKBP Purwanto also issued an update to the media to confirm that police are still working to establish who was set to purchase or receive the captured turtles.
He noted, “We have coordinated with the public prosecutor because the evidence had not yet reached a customer, and there had been no transaction, so it is difficult to prosecute the customer.”
West Bali, where the turtles were captured from the wild, and specifically West Bali National Park, is home to some of the rarest wildlife in the province. The area is home to turtles, wild deer, and the critically endangered Bali Starling.
Over the next year, tourists will see more promotion of West Bali National Park and the coastal resorts of the northwest of the province as leaders look to showcase lesser visited areas of the island to help mitigate the impacts of overtourism in the central south.
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