After a devastating flood claiming the lives of 18 people, the island actively discusses its causes.
Experts increasingly cite aggressive land conversion as the main factor. Annually, Bali loses about a thousand hectares of rice fields turned into villas, hotels, and condominiums. This process disrupts the traditional subak irrigation system, which has ensured the even distribution of water for centuries.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced that he is preparing regional legislation for a complete ban on converting productive land for tourism and commercial projects. According to him, the destruction of the subak system and uncontrolled development could have worsened the flood's impact. From 2025, he emphasized, new building permits for hotels, restaurants, and other commercial facilities on agricultural land will not be issued. The only exception will be private housing for landowners themselves—without the right for commercial use.
The initiative was supported by Environment Minister Hanif Faisal Nurofik. He noted that the destruction of watersheds and the reduction of forest cover were key factors in the disaster. According to him, halting land conversion and restricting the expansion of existing facilities are necessary to maintain the ecosystem's resilience.
The ban will be part of the strategic plan ‘Haluan Pembangunan Bali 100 Tahun’, designed until 2125. Its goal is to protect agricultural lands, maintain environmental balance, and ensure tourism development does not harm the island's ecology.
Sources: mediaindonesia, harian
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