Forum demands moratorium on development in Bali

Luh De Suriyani ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Denpasar   |  Sat, 07/04/2009 12:59 PM  |  The Archipelago

Members of the community and non-government organizations, grouped under Bali's Earth Awareness Forum, have called for the provincial administration to halt any planned development projects on the resort island, pending the issuance of a regional spatial planning bylaw for the next 20 years.

"The Bali provincial administration must impose a moratorium on any developments and investment permits, while it formulates the new spatial plan," said IB Putu Wesnawa, the chairman of Bali's provincial legislative body.

A moratorium was necessary because Bali legislative council is working on a bylaw for a long-term regional spatial plan, forum coordinator I Made Suarnatha said.

"There are still many problems that need to be solved before the plan can be finished," Suarnatha said.

As yet, there have been no accurate scientific or environmental assessments on the condition of Bali over the next 20 years, as regulated in the planned bylaw.

Bali, he said, has been busily constructing high-rise hotels and apartments, many of which violate the current spatial plan.

Hotels and other tourist facilities had been built on fertile land such as productive rice fields and farm land. "We have to decide which areas can be used for business, tourism, civic centers, education facilities and many others," Suarnatha said.

Violations of the development restrictions have been going on for years, damaging the island's environmental landscape, he said.

Many star-rated hotels and villas have been built near sacred sites including Hindu temples and archeological sites.

"Nor have there been any studies on possible impacts of climate change on several small islands such as Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida," Suarnatha said.

There is also no accurate data on the island's food and water needs. Developments in fertile areas could have a detrimental impact on the island's food and water resources, he said.

"Both the government and the legislative body must obtain more input from the community regarding the new bylaw," Suarnatha said.

Many people believe the legislative council aims to finish the bylaw before ending its 2004-2009 period.

Wesnawa, however, defended the legislative council claiming it had made several important decisions in dealing with restrictions on building developments in Bali.

"We have stated that any building must not be more than 15 meters in height, and must be located at least five kilometers from any sacred sites," he said.

"We admit that many violations have occurred, because the executive body has not properly enforced the regulation," Wesnawa said.

Legislative council deputy chairman IGK Adhiputra said harsh sanctions against violators would be included in the draft bylaw, which is due to be endorsed on August 6.

"Previously, the administration had enforced lenient sanctions against those who violated the regulation," Adhiputra added.

The legislative council and the provincial administration would meet on Aug. 3-4 for final discussions on this issue, he said.

Noted high Hindu priest Ida Pandita Bhagawan Dwija asked the local administration to be more responsive to the needs of the entire Balinese community.

"All members of the community must be involved in planning and deciding the future of their island. Therefore, local administration must *also* be wise enough," the priest said.

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