DENPASAR ~

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika instructed Bangli Regency government to discipline sand miners around Batur Geopark area because it has a negative impact on the environment.

“Its existence indeed should already be disciplined considering the region has been included in the Geopark area and all types of mining is not allowed,” he said during the visit of Bangli Regent Made Gianyar in Denpasar on Monday.

According to him, many of the sand mining companies in the Batur Geopark do not have permission, even though the area is a private property, and many people have an interest in the existence of the mining.

Therefore, his side seeks legal force to control the mining so it will be easier to handle. One is on the Decision Letter of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) which states that the Geopark area should not be used for mining area.

“In principle, with such decree it means that there should not be any mining in the area. Therefore, through the Municipal Police Units we can set the steps to discipline it. On the other side, a solution is needed to cope with people who are live through the mine,” he said.

Pastika added that the control of the sand mining is not only for Bangli Regency, but also should be done in other districts.

Meanwhile, Bangli Regent Made Gianyar said that by the existence of Geopark in Bangli, it automatically dismantle the sand mining considering Geopark itself is protected by the United Nations through UNESCO.

“In addition, many of the mines are illegal and damage the environment in the area of Mount Batur,” he said.

Therefore, Gianyar expected Bali Government to make regulations considering the authority is now in the province government.

However, he also hoped that people who make a living from the mine will be able to make use towards Geopark development into one of the promising tourism attractions.