The project to construct a seawall to combat cracks in the cliffs near Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple in Pecatu Village is nearly complete. Builders report that progress has reached 83%, with completion scheduled for early February 2025.
The Head of the Water Resources Department at Badung Regencys PUPR Office, Anak Agung Rama Putra, broke down the percentages into specific tasks: 48% of the work involves securing the beach, 4.5% is dedicated to cliff reinforcement, 27.5% covers the construction of the access road to the beach near the cliff, and 1% involves the reconstruction of the Bedji Temple. The remaining 2.5% was allocated for detailed project planning.
Rama Putra explained that the project faces significant challenges due to the rough ocean conditions. Currently, work has reached the cape at the very end, directly beneath the Luhur Uluwatu Temple. He stated, “At the moment, waves are striking from south to north, unlike the usual west-to-east direction. Therefore, we are focusing on mitigating the impact of the southern waves before continuing cliff reinforcement efforts.”
To counter the waves, tetrapods, specialized concrete structures, are being installed as wave breakers. These are placed in the water about 10 meters from the cliff. A total of 2,800 tetrapods are planned as part of the project to reduce the force of the oceans impact.
Several methods are being used to reinforce the deteriorating cliff, including filling voids and cracks with concrete. A specialized mixture is also being sprayed onto weak areas, and in some sections, wire mesh is being installed. So far, 500 square meters of the cliff have been reinforced out of the planned 1,100 square meters.
Initially, the project was slated for completion by December 31, 2024, but the timeline was extended by 50 days, moving the completion date to early February.
The seawall and cliff preservation project at Uluwatu has sparked controversy and concern among locals and authorities. To build the seawall and stabilize the cliff cracks, a large section of the limestone cliff near Uluwatu Temple was cut away, and a special road was constructed to allow heavy machinery access to the shoreline.
Additionally, community members have raised new concerns after images surfaced showing another massive section of limestone cliff, close to Uluwatu Temple, collapsing.
This temple is one of Balis most renowned religious landmarks, attracting tourists for its stunning and dramatic location. After it was discovered that the cliff supporting the temple was at risk of collapse due to erosion, a plan was developed to save it.
However, in October 2024, Balis Attorney Generals Office launched an investigation over suspicions that the project was approved without an environmental impact assessment, which would constitute a severe violation.
Public complaints escalated after footage appeared online showing heavy machinery drivers dumping limestone extracted from the cliff directly into the ocean instead of transporting it away by truck.
Sources:nusabali, baliexpress
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