The devastating floods that struck Bali in early September have left behind more than collapsed bridges, flooded markets, and swept-away vehicles, they have left a powerful reminder of the urgent need to rethink how the island manages its land and resources.

Recognizing this, the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) has pledged to tighten the enforcement of spatial planning regulations. On September 12th, the Special Committee for Spatial Planning, Assets, and Licensing (TRAP) held a meeting at the Bali DPRD Building, bringing together policymakers, professors, and cross-disciplinary experts to discuss long-term solutions for land use, licensing, and asset management.

The meeting underscored an alarming trend: Bali loses an estimated 1,700 hectares of agricultural land each year to land conversion. In just two decades, BPS data shows that nearly 30% of the island’s farmland has disappeared, threatening food security, biodiversity, and the cultural heritage of subak. This trend is fueled by unchecked development and economic motives, making spatial planning policies increasingly fragile.

Experts at the meeting emphasized the urgent need for stricter compliance, transparent permitting, and stronger collaboration between government agencies, academics, and local communities. Recommendations included enforcing land-use regulations, prioritizing eco-friendly infrastructure, and protecting water catchment areas to prevent future disasters.

“This is for the benefit of Bali and the Balinese people,” said I Made Supartha, Chair of the Special Committee, stressing that spatial planning must ensure that floods of this scale do not happen again. He affirmed that the committee will follow up with concrete steps and align with insights from academics and relevant regional bodies.

For Bali, this moment is more than a policy discussion, it is a turning point. Land is not just a commodity; it is the foundation of food security, cultural identity, and resilience. Protecting agricultural land and enforcing spatial planning regulations are essential not only to prevent ecological disasters but also to secure Bali’s future as a sustainable and balanced destination.

At Eco Tourism Bali, we believe these efforts must go hand in hand with responsible tourism practices. Development should never come at the expense of nature. Instead, by putting Sustainability and Nature First, we can safeguard Bali’s ecosystems while ensuring its economy and communities thrive for generations to come.