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Hindu communities are worried about a reclamation plan in Benoa Bay in Bali that could threaten the existence of at least 24 temples in the area.

'€œThe project could cause our temples to sink,'€ said I Wayan Widyantara, a member of Pengempon (temple management group) over the weekend.

Widyantara said his Deluang Sari temple was one of 24 temples located in Tanjung Benoa village, next to the Pudut turtle island in Benoa Bay.

To reach the temple, he said, people used traditional canoes. The temples aside, Hindus consider Benoa Bay a sacred area because of the presence of 60 natural sites, including 19 loloan (estuaries) and 17 muntig (small islands that emerge during low tide).

Locals are worried that the reclamation of at least 700 hectares of the bay, for an integrated tourism development project proposed by a private developer, will damage their sacred area.

Your comments:

Bali needs to preserve its culture and stop the exploitation. Only corrupt officials will benefit from this so-called development.

Jeproks

Turn the developers away from Bali'€™s door.

Simaging

The central government doesn'€™t care about any Hindu temples; it only cares about how much revenue from real estate is reaped. People like Soeharto'€™s son, Tommy, are still running the show in Bali.

Charlesjarret

Bali is already rearing at the seams. It doesn'€™t need this ridiculous project. Those supporting and financially backing this potential disaster should look somewhere else to screw up. Leave what'€™s left of Bali alone.

Johnny Cool