B

ali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has asked Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan to revoke a license the latter issued for the development, by private company PT Nusa Bali Abadi, of the 100-hectare Buyan luxury resort within the protected forest conservation area around Lake Buyan in Buleleng regency.

“The protected area near Lake Buyan is part of the provincial strategic area that should not have been converted for any other purpose in line with Bylaw No. 16/2009 on Spatial Arrangement,” Pastika said in Denpasar on Friday after meeting with environmentalists and students who form the Bali working committee on environmental advocacy (Kekal Bali).

PT Nusa Bali Abadi plans to develop a spacious resort comprising villas, hotels and other supporting infrastructure in the protected forest. The plan was disclosed when the forestry minister visited Lake Buyan at the invitation of the company on April 27, 2012.

The forestry minister granted concession rights in 2004 to PT Nusa Bali Abadi to develop the resort project within a 55-year period. The minister turned out to have given concession rights to develop another 20-hectare resort area in 2007.

“We plan to enter into a cooperation agreement with PT Nusa Bali Abadi to develop tourism facilities, which will surely be beneficial to local people,” Minister Zulkifli said during the visit.

The management of PT Nusa Bali Abadi promised to make Lake Buyan, which they described as a hidden treasure, more beautiful.

Pastika said that he had repeatedly conveyed his opposition to the development of the forest conservation area to the ministry. Former Bali governor Dewa Made Beratha had also made his opposition known.

The 1,700 hectares of protected forest near Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan is the site of the island’s major water reserves.

For Balinese Hindus, Lake Buyan and the other three lakes in Bali are much more than just the island’s water reservoirs. These places are believed to be sacred sites where the greatly respected Bhatari Danu, the goddess of water and fertility, resides to protect the people and the island.

The Bali Governor has protested several times since 2005. After his first protest was not heeded, Pastika sent another letter to the minister demanding cancellation of the concession rights.

“We have demanded the minister cancel the concession rights, but the minister never pays serious attention,” he said.

Wayan Gendo Suardana from Kekal Bali is also against the project. “The area is one of the most important water catchments in Bali and needs to be protected. Development in the forest will surely damage the environment and ecosystem of the island in general.”