Bali's Coastal Scenes in Indonesia
In the heart of Indonesia, the island of Bali is grappling with the challenges of balancing its rapid tourism growth with the preservation of its fragile coastal ecology and cultural authenticity.
Bali, a destination known for its vibrant spirit and rich culture, is currently facing significant issues that threaten its future sustainability. Efforts are being made to address these concerns, but progress is slow.
One of the pressing issues is the excessive use of plastic bags, which are smothering vegetation in some areas and causing environmental harm. The Balinese, with their strong spirit, are aware of the problem and are making efforts to reduce plastic waste.
The island's coastal ecology is under stress, particularly due to overdevelopment. Large-scale villa and resort projects have caused damage to fragile natural features like cliffs and beaches. For instance, near Bingin Beach and the Impossibles cliff face, such developments have resulted in cliff collapses and environmental harm. To prevent further damage, authorities have begun cracking down on illegal cliff-side structures.
However, there is uncertainty about the specific plans for environmental restoration after demolitions. The demolition of informal cliff-side buildings at places like Bingin Beach has sparked sadness among locals and tourists, as these areas served as community hubs reflecting Bali's surfing heritage and customary Balinese law.
To address wider environmental concerns, Bali has initiated efforts to manage its increasing waste problems. The Bali provincial government provides grants to customary villages that manage their plastic waste responsibly, and awards are given to hotels and businesses practicing effective waste management. This is part of a broader push to implement Bali's waste management regulations to protect its delicate ecosystems.
The rapid tourism-driven development has also strained natural resources such as water. Over 65% of Bali’s fresh water is diverted to resorts and pools, causing over-extraction and water shortages in local villages. The influx of foreign investment in villas threatens both cultural sites like Hindu temples and the traditional rural landscape including terraced paddy fields.
In spite of these challenges, the Balinese are determined to improve their situation. They are striving to find a balance between their tourism-dependent economy and the preservation of their unique culture and environment. The future of Bali hangs in the balance, as it navigates the complexities of sustainable development.
[1] Source [2] Source [3] Source [4] Source
- Amidst the vibrant spirit and rich culture of Bali, a pressing issue threatening its future sustainability is the excessive use of plastic bags, which are causing environmental harm and smothering vegetation.
- The Balinese, with their strong spirit, are aware of the problem and are making efforts to reduce plastic waste, as addressing wider environmental concerns is crucial for the island's preservation.
- Overdevelopment, particularly large-scale villa and resort projects, has caused damage to Bali's fragile natural features like cliffs and beaches, resulting in environmental harm and even cliff collapses.
- To prevent further damage, authorities have begun cracking down on illegal cliff-side structures, but there is uncertainty about the specific plans for environmental restoration after demolitions.
- The Bali provincial government provides grants to customary villages that manage their plastic waste responsibly, and awards are given to hotels and businesses practicing effective waste management as part of a broader push to implement Bali's waste management regulations to protect its delicate ecosystems.
- The rapid tourism-driven development has also strained natural resources such as water, with over 65% of Bali’s fresh water being diverted to resorts and pools, causing over-extraction and water shortages in local villages.
- To find a balance between tourism-dependent economy and the preservation of its unique culture and environment, the Balinese are striving to implement sustainable development practices, navigating the complexities of a future that requires the alignment of environmental science, finance, industry, retail, and lifestyle with climate-change action and nature preservation.
[1] Source: [link to resource for plastic waste in Bali] [2] Source: [link to resource for cliff collapses in Bali] [3] Source: [link to resource for regulations and awards in Bali's waste management] [4] Source: [link to resource for water shortages due to tourism] [5] Source: [link to resource for challenges facing Bali's sustainable development]
