Bali’s rice fields are famous, albeit disappearing at an alarming rate due to relentless, unbridled construction. One wonders how this building frenzy fits in with Drei Hita Karana, the traditional Balinese philosophy of harmony between humans, nature, and the divine.
Is the alleged symbiosis of Balinese culture with nature getting lost?
This deeply rooted belief is based upon the triad of maintaining harmony among men, harmony between man and nature, and harmony between man and God. This balance underpins every aspect of Balinese life.
There is a close association between this philosophy, the Bali rice terraces, and the Subak, the community-based irrigation system.
Yet, when the rice fields disappear, so does the Subak. How, then, will this belief system survive?
Tri Hita Karana Bali – An NGO that walks the talk.
Tri Hita Karana Bali Foundation (THKB), established by tropical Permaculture expert I Made Chakra, is an environmental non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Balinese agrarian culture through education and support of regenerative agriculture and technology, using permaculture principles in various ways. Agriculture is inextricably linked to Balinese traditions, values, and culture.
Rice fields and the attending Subak system are being replaced by hotels and villas, shifting Bali’s economy from agriculture to tourism. THKB tries to remedy this situation by promoting permaculture principles among Bali’s farmers, horticulturalists and gardeners, and teaching sustainable and environmentally sensible growing practices.
From Bees to Banana Pits: Restoring the Land
- Permaculture in Practice
Permaculture, the practice of designing a human habitat by relying on natural and renewable resources and a self-sustaining ecosystem, is a self-sufficient, ecologically harmonious way of living. It encompasses the production of organic food, conservation of energy and natural resources, and sustainable architecture and engineering. These ideas guide everything in the chain, from gardens and food forests, to earth works and water catchment systems, to homes and power systems.
- Climate restoration and agroforestry
In order to restore green zone areas, severely degraded and damaged landscapes and ecosystems. and counter or reverse the ill effects of global warming, THKB collaborates with communities on reforestation and carbon sequestration projects.
- Waste management and Rain Catchment systems
Biodegradable household waste can be managed by a simple banana pit system that combines food production, composting, and water management in one elegant setup. Compostable kitchen and garden waste is added to a pit with the excavated soil mounted around the edges to form a raised berm. Plants and fruit trees like bananas, papayas, and lemon grass are planted on the raised bed to hold the soil and provide nutritious food.
For an effective rain catchment systems, simple barrels or elaborate cisterns can be installed in homes and schools.
- Water filtration and purification systems
Specially designed terracotta water containers filter ordinary tap or river water through a layer of carbon. The filtration system in the containers can last over a decade and is very modestly priced.
- Natural swimming pools
An ecological alternative to chemically treated pools, is the design and construction of a natural swimming pool with fish and water-thriving plants as the natural companions. An aquaponic filtering system removes excessive waste, and trees, plants and flowers are planted in and outside the pool to provide shade and pollinator habitats.
- Beekeeping Workshops
Bees are one of nature’s most productive pollinators, encouraging the growth of flowers, fruits, vegetables and flowering trees. Beekeeping workshops are designed for novices and teach you how to establish and grow your own colony of Bali’s indigenous honey bees, how to build the ideal beehouse, which plants and flowers attract the bees, and how and when to harvest the honey.
- Community Projects, Volunteering, and Hands-on Training
Resilient and regenerative ecosystems are designed and installed through projects and workshops with local communities, government organizations, universities and interested individuals.
Volunteers who want to contribute to local conservation efforts while gaining knowledge about sustainable permaculture practices are very welcome.
Two working permaculture centres – in Pengosekan, Ubud and Selamadeg, Tabanan – showcase THKB activities.
Both centres accommodate volunteers, interns and students for co-working projects.
Tri Hita Karana, a philosophy on the brink of extinction… or renewal?
While Bali grapples with a changing identity, THKB offers a hopeful counterpoint showing that Bali’s ancient wisdom still holds the seeds of balance, and with the right stewards, may yet thrive.
Thanks to entities like Tri Hita Karana Bali, this inspiring philosophy, rather than becoming a cultural mirage, is not doomed after all.
Learn more about THKB’s permaculture workshops and community projects!
Besuchen trihitakaranabali.org
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@thkbali
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Tri Hita Karana Bali
Contact Directly
Email: chakra.widia@gmail.com
WhatsApp: 081 338 794 571
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