The devastating flood that hit Bali on September 10 has become a turning point for the island’s future development. In response, Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced that the provincial government will no longer grant permits for hotels, restaurants, or any commercial facilities on productive land, particularly rice fields.
This restriction will be formalized in a new regional regulation, now under preparation, and set to be fully enforced in 2025. The rule aligns with the 100-Year Bali New Era Development Plan (2025–2125), which aims to balance economic growth with ecological preservation.
“After handling this flood, we will gather again to ensure no more permits are issued for hotels, restaurants, or other facilities on productive land, especially rice fields,” Koster said, as quoted by Antara on September 14, 2025.
The decision followed a warning from Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq. He identified land conversion as a major factor behind the flood, stressing that reduced forest cover in watershed areas has left Bali increasingly vulnerable to extreme rainfall.
“I strongly hope the governor will immediately stop land conversions in Bali, this is very important. A moratorium on building tourism accommodations on productive land is also for the sake of Bali’s tourism itself,” Hanif urged.
Read also: Flooding in Bali Exposes the Cost of Land Conversion
Although the policy bans commercial construction on productive land, it still allows residents to build homes under strict conditions. Any development must be for personal use only, not for business. Hanif also clarified that existing buildings cannot simply be demolished or abandoned. Instead, owners are expected to optimize their current facilities without expanding land use.
“They cannot make expansions because the condition is no longer strong enough for us to withstand nature’s calibration,” he explained.
Both the central and provincial governments believe the move is essential not only to safeguard Bali’s fragile ecosystem but also to protect the island’s global reputation as a leading tourist destination. The flood, which drew international attention, raised concerns that unchecked development could harm Bali’s image if no action is taken.
With the upcoming regulation, Bali is expected to protect its rice fields and forests while steering tourism growth in a more sustainable direction, ensuring the island’s environment and economy can coexist in the long term.
