For centuries, subak has done more than distribute water across Bali’s rice fields. It has shaped landscapes, connected communities, and preserved traditions that have been passed down through generations. But today, one of Bali’s most important cultural legacies is facing mounting pressure. In urban areas, the future of subak is becoming increasingly uncertain as development and changing land use continue to reshape the island.
The challenge of protecting Bali’s traditional irrigation system in Denpasar has become more complicated than before. The issue is no longer limited to preserving agricultural land. Authorities are now also dealing with land conversion, changing community interests, environmental concerns, and the need to help farmers adapt to new realities.
Subak itself is built on three fundamental elements. The first is parahyangan, which refers to subak temples. The second is pawongan, consisting of subak members and leaders such as pekaseh. The third is palemahan, which refers to the land used within the subak system.
Denpasar Culture Agency Head Raka Purwantara said the situation in urban areas has become increasingly complex. Rapid urban development is one challenge, but changing public preferences have also started to reshape the role of subak itself. Some areas are gradually transforming into ecotourism destinations as communities seek new economic opportunities.
Purwantara explained that traditional villages generally establish customary regulations known as awig-awig or perarem. These rules exist to guide and protect local customs and land use practices. However, their effectiveness becomes limited in certain situations.
“So, when the land has been sold, I used to belong to Intaran Traditional Village as the land owner, and I was bound by awig-awig. But once the land is sold and owned by someone who is not originally from Intaran Traditional Village, that is where it becomes difficult to impose customary sanctions,” he said, as quoted by DetikTravel.
According to him, this creates major challenges for traditional villages in maintaining oversight of subak areas. Once land ownership changes and becomes privately certified, the authority of traditional institutions becomes far more limited.
“If the land is already privately certified, it becomes difficult for us to intervene. The transaction and certification process do not go through the pekaseh. The legal enforcement follows whatever is written on the certificate,” Purwantara explained.
To help manage land-use changes, regional governments rely on spatial planning regulations known as RTRW. These regulations involve coordination among different government agencies and are expected to provide stronger protection against uncontrolled land conversion.
“If it is related to land conversion, perhaps it is already regulated through the RTRW regional regulation. Awig-awig may not be able to bind those kinds of issues,” he added.
Beyond land ownership issues, another challenge is becoming increasingly visible. Agricultural land in urban areas continues to shrink, while irrigation systems are also starting to suffer from waste pollution. As these conditions change, Denpasar’s Culture Agency believes farmers need to adapt their approach.
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Purwantara suggested that preserving farming culture does not necessarily mean maintaining old methods in every situation. Instead, farmers may need to rethink how land is used while still keeping agricultural traditions alive.
“Even if the land gets smaller, farming culture should not disappear. For urban land, it may be more suitable to become horticultural farming. If you have 15 are of land, planting rice may not generate profit. But if that same 15 are is divided for flowers, corn, eggplants, tomatoes, and seasonal crops, it can be adopted,” he said.
Interestingly, Purwantara noted that this strategy has already been practiced by migrant communities arriving in Denpasar. Meanwhile, many local farmers still focus mainly on rice cultivation.
“Our farmers have not fully seen the opportunities. Those opportunities are recognized by urban communities coming to Denpasar. People from Java come here, rent land from local farmers, live there, maybe rent 10 are for several years. They are smart. They plant melons and chili peppers. That is their strategy,” Purwantara said.
He emphasized that farmers need a broader shift in perspective. Adjusting crop patterns alone may not be enough. Farmers are also being encouraged to embrace newer technologies and understand changing market demands more effectively.
As Bali continues developing and urban areas expand, preserving subak may require more than maintaining irrigation channels or protecting land boundaries. The challenge now lies in balancing cultural heritage with changing economic realities, ensuring that one of Bali’s oldest traditions can continue to survive in a rapidly changing environment.
