Singaraja – Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) is not only focused on improving the quality of human resources internally. However, they are also flapping their wings to work on regional potentials that are able to have a positive impact on society. One of them is the development of water tourism and recreation of the Titab–Ularan Dam which is included in the Busungbiu District and Seririt District, Buleleng Regency. To make this happen, the Undiksha Regional Partnership Program (PKW) team held an audience with the Buleleng Regency Government, on Wednesday morning (4/9/2019).
The team is chaired by Gede Eka Budi Darmawan, S.Pd., M.Or, and consists of Dr. rer. nat. I Wayan Karyasa, S.Pd., M.Sc., Dr. Made Agus Wijaya, S.Pd., M.Pd., and Ni Putu Sri Wahyuni, SP., M.MA. In the audience, the Head of the Undiksha Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM), Prof. Dr. Gede Astra Wesnawa, M.Sc., also facilitated team communication. The presentation begins with the background of the program proposal, the stages carried out, including the program’s implications for the community. After the meeting, Astra Wesnawa explained that the program proposal had begun with an in-depth study. As a result, the team saw that the dam, which has a high water discharge and constant flow, has a decent tourism potential to be developed, one of which is rafting tourism, including the agricultural sector which can be a supporting object. “This can be developed, especially with a touch of technology. The team is committed to developing it,” he explained.
Delivered further, tourism development is believed to have a positive impact on the economy of the surrounding community and the village. Therefore, it is hoped that there will be support from the regional, provincial, and central governments. Admittedly, there are regulations that must be followed to realize the program. This was immediately communicated to the relevant agencies. “The authority to manage dams lies with the River Basin Office. This was immediately communicated. We have to follow the regulations,” added Astra Wesnawa.
Deputy Regent of Buleleng, dr. I Nyoman Sutjidra, Sp.OG positively welcomed the program proposal and hoped it could be followed up soon so that what had been designed could be realized. “Hopefully this morning’s talk can be followed up soon. What is the most important goal of the Titab Dam can be achieved according to plan,” he said. He emphasized that he fully supports the proposed program. He also believes that if this materializes, it will have a multiplayer effect, both for the people in the Busungbiu and Seririt regions. “This must be coordinated with BWS as the asset manager. But we, the district government, really support this program,” he added. Apart from the tourism sector, Undiksha is also committed to working with local governments to work on other potentials, especially those related to science. As a university, Undiksha is ready to be used to jointly solve problems in society. (hms)
