Posted by HBF/PVL staff on Friday, 2. October 1998 at 17:27 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Beach Bars posted by Gary F on Thursday, 1. October 1998 at 20:25 Bali Time:
BEACH CLEAN UP COMMENCES
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34 "cabana-style" bars and cafes along Bali's Kuta beach were dismantled by local government authorities this week in compliance with the expiration of a deadline given to remove buildings built too close to the waterline.
The 34 open-air bars and restaurants were levelled without incident, despite a natural reluctance by their owners to see their businesses closed.
In recent months local community groups on Kuta beach have taken a very firm stand in calling for the removal of the restaurants seen to be destructive to the local environment and natural beauty of Kuta's beaches.
In a move to alleviate any social suffering caused by the closure of these businesses, the local government has given a cash award of one million rupiah to the proprietor of every cafe and bar affected by the clean up and Rp. 500,000 to each dislocated employee.
Congratulations to Bali's local government for taking a difficult but very necessary step to restore and preserve the island's natural beauty.
Let's hope rogue restauranteurs and hoteliers in the Candi Dasa beach area of the island are next on the list for official attention.