the people: Putu, local guide

Deeply engaged yet resolutely independent, long-haired Putu has an established presence in the community firmament of Bali Barat.

Born in 1972, this guide also runs a side-road foodstall, right next to the Park's offices.

Putu is a keen backer of the Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines that lay the rules for what you can and cannot do in the National Park. "This is the only tool that we have to protect marine life", he argues. Case in point, Putu is one of the first to be ready for the 5:00 a.m. boat patrols, and actively participates in intercepting and chatting with the illegal fishers.

Putu is deeply aware that the natural resources of the Park are his bread and butter. If these are compromised or are totally gone, he can only pack up and leave with family in tow. But this is home he says, where he was born and grew up, at a time when he recalls, "plastic bags were a rarity". Here he says, work is like a "…holiday with family and very cheap lifestyle".

No wonder he holds on so dearly to what is important to him.