Bali Plants 100 Trees with 12-Month Care Guarantee

Most tree-planting projects end when the saplings go in the ground, but a new effort in Bali is rewriting that script with a promise that actually makes a difference.

On August 26, 2026, volunteers planted 100 trees near Pura Luhur Batukaru, a sacred temple site in Bali's highlands. The Nuanu Social Fund and Bali Tourism Board didn't just fund the saplings—they committed to 12 full months of care, including regular watering, site protection, and replacing any trees that don't survive.

The 1,000-square-meter plot now holds 30 banyan trees, 50 mahogany saplings, and 20 cempaka trees, all native species that will eventually provide habitat for local wildlife and help stabilize the mountainous terrain. The Bali Provincial Forestry Department is overseeing the project, ensuring professional standards throughout the critical first year.

Traditional reforestation efforts often fail because young trees die from lack of water, disease, or damage during their vulnerable early months. This initiative tackles that problem head-on by building maintenance into the project from day one.

The location matters too. Pura Luhur Batukaru sits on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, Bali's second-highest peak and a watershed that feeds rivers across the island. Healthy forests here mean cleaner water and better climate resilience for communities downstream.

The Ripple Effect

The partnership between a social fund, the tourism board, and forestry experts shows how different sectors can align around environmental goals. Tourism revenue is directly supporting the natural landscapes that make Bali attractive to visitors in the first place.

Local communities are involved throughout the process, learning sustainable forestry practices that could spread to other degraded areas across the island. The 12-month care model is already generating interest from conservation groups in other parts of Indonesia.

By prioritizing survival over sheer planting numbers, this project is proving that quality matters more than quantity. Each tree that reaches maturity will sequester carbon, prevent erosion, and support biodiversity for decades to come.

Bali is showing the world that planting trees is just the beginning—the real work happens in the year that follows.