Challenges to the Conservation of Subak System as World Cultural Heritage in Bali

Abstract

Subak in Bali is believed to have been existing from earlier than the ninth century. Throughout this long period, Subak has been successfully utilized water resources for irrigation. Subak has been recognized as world cultural heritage by UNESCO since 2012. Currently, however, the sustainability of the system and its existence in the future is a big concern. This research is a literature review that aims to identify the challenges and provide option of solutions to sustain the Subak. The study showed that some operational and maintenance aspects of Subak are alarming, such as some network deterioration, limited availability of maintenance facilities either from government or farmers. Despite this condition, religious tradition of Subak is still carried out, although the processions vary from one Subak to another. There are several challenges in regards to Subak conservation: (1) reduction of the Subak area, resulting in declining income to support a decent life; (2) deterioration of quality and quantity of water resources; (3) the age of farmers is above 40 years with a heavy financial burden; (4) there are no clear external regulations to support Subak conservations. This study suggests several strategic steps in keeping the sustainability of Subak. The strategic steps include: refunctioning government officials; providing government support to reduce cost levied to farmers; facilitating collaborations between farmers and other stakeholders; promoting alternative commodities which have a higher financial value; preventing and repairing damages of upstream areas; controlling pollution; forming a coordination board at a provincial, regency and river basin level; building the Subak information systems; providing supervising mechanism, and encouraging academics and students to participate in an effort to preserve Subak itself.

Indigenous Knowledge of Besemah-Semende‘s People on Water Conservation Resources

“…Water reuse and recycle in rice fields make the contours of the rice fields in Besemah-Semende in the shape of terraces such as subak IK of Bali. The shape of terraces provides benefits including 1) Preventing high water levels in a paddy field which can thus reduce the activity of methane-producing methanogen bacteria so that it indirectly reduces the concentration of Greenhouse Gases 2) Reducing the occurrence of landslides and loss of organic matter in the soil; and 3) Water efficiency; in other words not too much water is needed to irrigate the fields [60]. The following are photos of the use of water with the concept of tambat ayik by the residents of Besemah-Semende Tambat ayik is IK related to water reuse and recycle.…”

Patorani local knowledge system in fisheries resources conservation education in Galesong District South Sulawesi

“…Historically, the people of South Sulawesi, Bugis, Makassar, and Mandar Tribes, were known as tenacious sailors. With immense maritime aspirations, fishing or hunting activities in the wide ocean became their main livelihoods, especially for people living in coastal areas (Norken, Suputra, & Arsana, 2016). Additionally, each region has a local knowledge system for preserving, managing, and maintaining its fishery resource potential with the creation of traditional technology.…”

Augmented Reality Applied in Subak Museum: Preserving Local Wisdom Subak Concept

“…The visual elements that can be added can be a video or virtual modeling of 3D objects [14] [15]. The Subak network system turns out to have similarities to the concept of computer network, so it can be analogous to strengthen the level of understanding of the concept of learning [16].…”