Development Review Needed: Bali

By Barrie | September 19th, 2007 | No Comments

The rapid development of tourism-related facilities have caused serious environmental degradation to the island’s farm land, and therefore the government’s plan must be reviewed to save the island from more destruction, a noted academic said during a seminar.

The rector of Denpasar-based Warmadewa University, Made Sukarsa, told the audience at the one-day seminar on the Bali master plan, that the existing policy of “spoiling” investors for the sake of getting more revenues must be stopped if the people of Bali wanted their island’s environment and culture to be saved.

Bali has been a paradise for local and foreign investors wanting to put their money into various construction projects, such as hotels, villas, resorts, malls and other entertainment venues.

Tourism, the rector said, had badly affected the natural environment of Bali. The development of tourism facilities often took place on former fertile riceland, vulnerable coastal areas, on hillsides and along rivers, which in reality needed to be preserved as water catchments.

The seminar was organized by Warmadewa University’s Engineering Department, and featured a number of experts on planning, as well as representatives of the tourism industry, religious leaders and cultural observers.

“There needs to be an instant shift in the development paradigm,” Sukarsa said.leaders must start to focus on tourism as a way of improving public welfare, while at the same time not sacrificing the land.”

The provincial government has been too eager to invite investors to develop projects, while at the same time neglecting proper planning and monitoring,” the rector said.

The lack of law enforcement had enabled many investors to violate the master plan.

I Wayan Runa, an environmental expert, said this now was the right time for the Balinese people and leaders to rethink the development paradigm.

Bali is due to elect a new governor in 2008.

“It is very timely. Whoever becomes governor must have a comprehensive understanding of tourism, development, culture and the environment. He or she needs to have a clear and well-thought-out vision for the development of Bali over the next five years,” Runa said.

“Bali is rich in cultural and religious heritage. Therefore, all development must be in line with our own concepts,” Runa added.

What is happening at the present time, Runa said, was that the majority of development projects had gone beyond the Balinese concept of natural and religious equilibrium.

Jro Gede Karang Tangkid Suarshana, a prominent figure in the Bali tourism industry, said there was something very wrong with the policy of tourism development that had been applied in Bali for the last 40 years.

“Tourism is actually a bonus for the Balinese people. The main focus now must be placed on agriculture and culture,” Suarshana said.has been intertwined with agriculture because we have deep roots in agriculture.”

The saddening fact was that many Balinese people had sold their ancestral lands, ricefields and plantations to outsiders (investors).

“The development of the tourism industry only benefits investors and a small number of people, while the majority of the Balinese have given up their assets,” he said. Most tourism-related properties in Bali belong to non-Balinese.

The Bali provincial government must be strict in regulating which parts of the island should be open to tourism development. The regulations are already in existence. The problem lies in their implementation and law enforcement,” he explained.

The Jakarta Post, Denpasar