Penglipuran's Bamboo forest

Penglipuran's
Bamboo forest

Situated in Bangli regency, Penglipuran village is well-known for its tidy row of traditional Balinese entrance gates and its unique architectural traditions. The village has also succeeded in preserving its 75-hectare bamboo forest located in the northern part of the village.
According to Wayan Perten, members of the Desa Adat village institution have played a consistent role from generation to generation in this preservation since they have a strong commitment to the system of "ayahan desa" - a philosophy committed to respecting the land on which the village stands.
A portion of the "desa adat" are known as "krama pengarep", or privileged members. Each of them is given an eight-acre house yard, 40-acres of agricultural land, 70-acres of bamboo forest, 60-acres of riverside irrigation, and 25-acres of rice field.
The lands may not be transferred to anyone without the knowledge of Penglipuran villagers and the the "Desa Adat" authority. The bamboo forest's future is therefore assured. Indeed, Penglipuran village was given the Kapaltaru award by the Indonesian Government in 1996 for its success in preserving the bamboo forest.
The forest consists of several different types of bamboo: "Tiying Jajang", used as house construction material, "Tiying Tali" used to produce rope, plaiting works, and house rooves, and "Tiying Ampel, with short segments and "Tiying Selem", a black bamboo.
The community members who are given pieces of bamboo forest ground usually fell bamboo trees once a year by selective cutting, leaving the younger ones intact. The average price of bamboo products in the market is five thousand rupiah per piece. Annually Penglipuran bamboo forest produces 750 thousand pieces of cut bamboo.

Penglipuran is a traditional village at the administrative village of Kubu village. The air is fresh because it is located at 700 meters above seas level. From historical point of view, according to the village elders, the words Penglipuran is derived from words Pengeling Pura means a holy place for remembering their ancestors.
It is reasonable since their ancestors came from Bayung Gede village, still in Kintamani district. From Bayung Gede to Penglipuran is quite long distance therefore the people of Penglipuran, established the same temple as the temple in Bayung Gede. We can draw conclusion from this matter that the people of Penglipuran is still remembering their origin.
Another opinion stated that Penglipuran is derived from the word Penglipuran means relaxation. Since the royal period, this place was a good spot for resting place.The village has cultural potency which is up to the present time still well preserved in the form of traditional Balinese buildings; which differentiate this village from others.
The population 743 persons, most of them are farmers and just few as civil servants. Dances and handicraft are well developed in this remote village.
This village can be reached through roads connecting district of Bangli with Kintamani. From Bangli town to the north up to Kubu village about 5 kilometers, then have turn left, one will arrive at Penglipuran and will be received with warm welcome by the villagers.