All looks similar to other Lombok coastal scenes when you take a quick glance at the waters off Krakas beach in the Papak community of Genggelang village, in North Lombok’s Gangga district.The observant eye, however, will identify three points of turbulent sea water, 30 to 50 metres from the shore, where it seems the water is pushing from its base to burst through the ocean surface.
This constant visual irregularity is explained by the location of three fresh water springs that stem from an underground river, which ends out to sea off the coast of Krakas, and that offer an abundant source of fresh water to the people of North Lombok regency.
Local resident Abdullah said the freshwater spring sites out to sea were first identified, accidently, by tourists about 20 years ago. This rare feature, however, and the beauty of Krakas beach are not widely known because of inadequate facilities in the area to make it an appealing tourist destination.
The few people who know about the wonder of Krakas beach and its waters usually hear of it from trekking guides when they are climbing Mount Rinjani, from Senaru village in Bayan, or making other tours of North Lombok, said Abdullah.
“From the stories of the trekking guides they find out about the existence of the beach beyond land plots overgrown with thousands of coconut trees,” he said. Some curious tourists made the one-hour, 45-kilometre road trip from Mataram to Krakas, to check out the truth of the stories.
“People from local communities believe water from the freshwater springs that burst through the ocean surface off Krakas beach has the power to cure various illnesses,” said Abdullah. “No wonder they come with containers to carry away the fresh water.”
While Abdullah reports that some investors have expressed interest in developing restaurants and accommodation around Krakas, North Lombok tourism authorities want to attract investors specifically to manage the freshwater springs so they may be developed into a marine tourism attraction.
The regency’s Development Planning Board (Bappeda) supports the move, especially as it would bring local benefits. “If the freshwater springs off Krakas beach can be managed well, then we would get ample clean water to more than meet the needs of the citizens of North Lombok,” said Bappeda head Ir H Nana Matalata.
“We would harness excess water which could be channelled to other areas in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province.”
Krakas beach is strategically located among North Lombok tourist attractions that have become iconic destinations within NTB. They include the famous three northern gilis (islands) of Trawangan, Air and Meno; the waterfalls of Kerta, Gangga, Sindang Gile and Tiu Kelep; the traditional Sasak houses of Segenter, Bayan and Senaru; the ancient mosques of Bayan and Semokan; and of course, majestic and volcanic Mount Agung.
source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com/
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