The board of regents Buleleng can be a great tourist attraction when it rains plans to invest money to develop Lake Buyan in an "eco-tourism heaven."

Buleleng Regent Putu Bagiada and investors from PT Anantara said both parties were willing to invest money in the development of Lake Buyan in a "Buyan Ecotourism Heaven", the area of the new name as the plan is approved.

"We want the restoration of this area to its original grandeur, with its original culture and its original look," said Bagiada at the Bali governor office Friday.

"This is the concept behind our plan to Lake Buyan in Buyan Ecotourism Heaven."
Located in the district Sukasada, Lake Buyan is a triplet of the lakes located in a large caldera. A large wild forest separates Lake Buyan Lake Tamblingan from its west, while the east is Lake Beratan.

So far, only the area around Lake Beratan has become a tourist destination. The proximity with Eka Karya, the island's largest botanical garden, Beratan Lake is a favorite weekend getaway for residents of the southern Bali urban cities.

Lake Beratan also host Ulun Danu, one of the main temples of water on the island.
The three lakes are becoming shallower over the years due to sedimentation and were declared a priority for environmental mitigation by the State Ministry of Environment last year.

Much of the blame for the sedimentation is focused on the construction of villas in the areas. Environmental groups say that the villas take away water absorption area, making mud to carry along the lakes.

The local agricultural practices, using chemical fertilizers, are also responsible for ruining the quality of the lake water.

When asked about what would change if Anantara would be given the mandate to develop Lake Buyan, Anantara Commissioner Liliah Sukoco said that the company's main concern was the area's natural beauty.

"I understand the concern about further environmental damage as a private company manage an environmental spot, but you must understand that in order to maintain this lake, the local economy must be improved," she said.

She said Anantara plans for the development of the 60-acre area in and around Lake Buyan, which could absorb up to 1,000 workers, and that one of the company was planning to dredging the land under the lake bed to absorb more water and soil.

"But these are only plans, we are still awaiting the recommendation of the Governor, before we decide how we want to go," she said.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has no statement on Friday the presentation, saying only that he would consider the proposal.

"We will look at the potential benefits of PT Anantara plans," he said. (source:jakartapost).