REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA PENIDA -- Population of swiftlets (Collocalia sp) in Nusa Penida, Bali are threatened by exploitation of bird nests in Batumelawang cave which is not based on sustainable principle. Director of Regional Owned Enterprise, Nusa Kerta Kosala, I Wayan Sukadana said that there were only 235 bird nests in Batumelawang today.

"We have seen swiftlets farming in Batumelawang. The number decreased from 4,000 bird nests in 1991-2000 to 235 bird nests today," Sukadana said recently.

Previously, swiftlets farmers can harvest four times a year. The decline is due to over exploitation of bird nests without preservation and sustainable principle. Farmers must change the harvest schedule, from four times to two times a year.

The nests of swiftlets incorporate a salivary secretion, which is highly prized as component of a culinary delicacy, such as birds' nest soup. Bird nest harvesting is a considerable economic endeavour and also being ecological concern.

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