Governor, regents at odds over zoning bylaw

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said Saturday that all regents in Bali had criticized the 2009 provincial zoning bylaw.

The bylaw, endorsed by Pastika, tightens zoning requirements around the island’s major temples, beaches and ravines.

Pastika said he believed firmer regulations were necessary to protect the sanctity of the island’s sacred spots as well as its environmental integrity. The regents, however, said they believed the bylaw would prevent them from developing those areas into tourist resorts, thus, capping the regencies’ ability to increase revenues.

“The regents have sent me a letter requesting I revise the bylaw. I advised them to convey their objections to the legislative council,” Pastika said.

The bylaw stipulates that all areas within 5 kilometers of a major temple should be free from any building that could desecrate the sanctity of the place of worship. Included in the list of the six major temples are the Besakih, Ulun Danu Batur and Uluwatu temples. Balinese Hindus temples are usually built on sites with stunning natural beauty, a trait that has not escaped the attention of developers.

The bylaw also stipulates that areas located 100 meters from a beach’s shoreline were off limits to construction and that areas near ravines should not be developed.

“The regents attended several meetings to consolidate their objections to the bylaw, which they have not ratified. I told them that I wouldn’t budge. I believe this island must be protected from short-term greed that would bring us nothing but destruction,” Pastika said.

The provincial administration recently won a lawsuit brought against it because of the bylaw. The lawsuit was filed by Pecatu residents who claimed the bylaw violated their economic right to earn a living by building and developing areas around the Uluwatu temple.

“Wealthy investors who own land in Uluwatu but cannot build villas or hotels there were probably greatly displeased and recruited the locals to launch the lawsuit,” Pastika said.

Bangli Regent I Made Gianyar said the island’s regents were united on the matter.

“It is very difficult to implement this bylaw, which we believe should be revised,” he said.