Balinese Culture Threatened by Tourism

VIVAnews – The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) in Bali urged the provincial government and city administration of Bali to issue a moratorium on the development of tourist accommodation.

The pressure for a moratorium is deemed relevant with the current conditions, considering the limited natural resources such as land plots and clean water. 

In line with the demand, the forum also expected the government and other related parties to immediately compile Bali’s development masterplan.

“[The masterplan] should draw sustainable development and applies environmental perspective in order to prevent excessive natural exploitation from worsening,” said Regional Council Chairman of the Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) in Bali, I Wayan Suardana, on June 19. 

The Balinese culture which deeply relates to land and water, Gendo said, is threatened if both elements are not properly . 

If water and land are gone, the Balinese culture would disappear.  The tourism derived from the culture would also disappear,” said Gendo. 

The development policy which does not favor environment as well as sufficient supporting and carrying capacities, according to Gundo, would potentially cause damage to nature.  Ultimately, this damage would cause cultural issues which have been Bali’s tourism spirit.