Bali Moves to Halt Land Conversion with New bylaw Following Severe Flooding
denpasar, Bali – The Bali provincial government will begin drafting a regional bylaw this year to prohibit land conversion, particularly the development of commercial properties on productive agricultural land, governor Wayan Koster announced Sunday. The move comes after directives from the Minister of Environment and follows recent devastating floods that highlighted the island’s vulnerability to extreme weather.
The bylaw is slated for enactment in 2025, aligning with the Bali New Era 100-Year Development Plan (2025-2125). “Starting this year, the land conversion ban will align with Bali’s 100-year plan. from 2025 onward, no productive land can be converted into commercial facilities,” Koster stated.
the initiative aims to address a key factor contributing to the September 10th floods: insufficient forest cover in upstream watershed areas. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating last week he “really hope[d] he will instantly stop land conversions in Bali. This is extremely crucial.”
While commercial development on productive land – including hotels and restaurants - will be largely prohibited, the provincial government will selectively permit landowners to build private residences. Existing structures will be addressed by the Bali provincial government, with a focus on optimizing current buildings for expansion rather than acquiring new land. “There should be no further expansion because Bali’s position is no longer strong enough to withstand natural calibrations,” Minister Nurofiq explained, adding the governor will approach the matter ”carefully, not in a frontal way.”
The new regulations are also seen as crucial for the long-term sustainability of Bali’s tourism industry, which has faced scrutiny following the recent flooding.
