B

ali is a relatively small island in Indonesia'€™s archipelago, though its strategic location, unique Hindu-based culture and beautiful scenery has long attracted tourists from all around the world.

The tourist industry has brought fortune to the Balinese and local investors, as well as those from outside Bali and from overseas, who make a fortune from tourism projects such as hotels, restaurants, art shops, transportation etc.

It is not an exaggeration to say that tourism in Bali is the locomotive train that pulls other sectors of its economy. Wealthy people invest their money, local people who are uneducated have the opportunity to be employed, educated locals work at hotels or as guides, and tourism training schools are also mushrooming. Tourism businesses have been flourishing.

All these positive aspects of tourism development are not without a negative side. Bali'€™s administration and also the central government of Indonesia need to consider the sustainability of Bali and work to make its tourism last forever. Tourism'€™s bad aspects must be addressed to minimize the impact of current trends.

Rampant development, not only in the tourism sector but other sectors as well, has brought negative impacts to Bali, which in the long term could ruin Bali'€™s tourism completely.

The beaches have been encroached upon by buildings, further inland the rice fields that constantly amaze tourists are shrinking as they give way to uncontrolled development, culture and entertainment '€” originally closely related, even inseparable, from Hindu rituals '€”has been commercialized in many parts of the island.

One current heated debate that drags on and shows no sign of abating is over a plan to reclaim land in Benoa Bay. A group who call themselves ForBali has been strongly opposing the reclamation plans, arguing that it will drown the bay and ruin the environment, bringing benefits only to investors and will deprive those in the local fishing industry of their livelihood.

Many others also, including those involved in tourism businesses, are complaining but many of them are simultaneously breaching assorted planning regulations themselves.

The Balinese keep yelling '€œAjeg Bali'€ (preserve Bali), calling for Bali to stay the way it is while, in some cases, at the same time helping to allow rampant, seemingly unstoppable developments that pay little attention to existing regulations. Development in Bali is in a dilemma without any sign of a solution.

Nyoman Suwela
Buleleng, bali