The Environmental Bamboo Foundation together with PT Langgeng Kreasi Jayaprima (Diageo Indonesia) are collaborating to increase the carrying capacity of the Yeh Penet River Basin (DAS) in Tabanan, Bali, to maintain availability of good quality water through bamboo agroforestry. The collaboration is part of an ongoing Diageo commitment to Preserve Water for Life as stated in Society 2030: Spirit of Progress through the Grain-to-Glass Sustainability pillar. This collaborative program will last for five years and be centered on a number of villages in the Yeh Penet watershed, one of the largest river basins in Bali.

The inauguration of the collaboration was held at the Bamboo Forest Pavilion, Nusa Dua, and became part of a series of G20 activities in Indonesia. The signing of the cooperation agreement between Diageo Indonesia and the Environmental Bamboo Foundation was also witnessed by the British Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Natalie Black CBE; the British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Owen Jenkins; Regional Secretary for Tabanan Regency, Gede Susila; and Head of the Provincial Forestry and Environment Service Bali, I Made Teja.

The Head of the Bali Provincial Forestry and Environment Service, I Made Teja said that the collaboration between the Environmental Bamboo Foundation and Diageo Indonesia could be a model for protecting Bali’s water resources. “We also hope that this collaboration can be replicated in other locations to preserve water resources in the Province of Bali,” said I Made Teja.

British Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Natalie Black CBE at a press conference at the Bali Collection, Nusa Dua, Bali on Monday (14/11) said, “The British Government is proud to support Diageo Indonesia’s partnership with the Environmental Bamboo Foundation.”

The Executive Director of the Environmental Bamboo Foundation, Monica Tanuhandaru hopes that the partnership with Diageo can also be replicated in other countries, especially in the tropical belt where bamboo can grow and protect water resources, as well as reduce emissions. “We are looking forward to this long cooperation. The Environmental Bamboo Foundation does not work alone. We have local wisdom that believes if you plant bamboo, you plant water,” said Monica.

Meanwhile, President Director of PT Langgeng Kreasi Jayaprima (Diageo Indonesia), Alefiyah Sarma added this event is an important milestone for Diageo Indonesia because inclusiveness and environmental sustainability are at the core of the company’s 10-year action plan. “Through our collaboration with the Environmental Bamboo Foundation, we are committed to pioneering Grain-to-Glass Sustainability and the goal of conserving water for life is one of the main aspects,” said Alefiyah.

The collaboration between the Environmental Bamboo Foundation and Diageo targets an increase in water discharge and underground water absorption as well as the absorption of 19.8 kilotons of CO2e, empowerment of 150 farming families and a projected increase in income of IDR 240 million per village in the third year. This target is expected to be achieved from the restoration program of 7,500 hectares of critical land.