Farmers in various location in Tabanan, the most fertile farming area in Bali, started to suffer for decreasing water flow. Farming groups are facing difficulties in allocating waters to their members. Water level of Lake Beratan in Bedugul resort area, among a few natural water reservoirs in Bali, has just decreased by almost four meters.

Descendant of water level at Lake Beratan was confirmed by the Head of Lake Beratan Tourism Management Board, I Gusti Ngurah Budiana Arta. The current water surface was measured at approximately four meters below its original level. The water which used to surround he temple has dried out. However he believed that the worst water descendant since 1964 was not permanent. The history recored the worst descendant of 7 meters in 1964.

“Descendant normally happens every years during dry season, and will be back to normal level when rainy season comes”, he explained. Condition of the lake would be back to normal somwhere around October when rain density increases to its peak.

The Head of Tabanan Environment Board In Nyoman Sutiana admitted the problems experienced in Penebel where water flow from creeks decreased in the last few weeks. However he believed that it caused by normal seasonal reasons, as tropical forest along the slope of Mount Batukaru was properly preserved. With regard to decreasing water level at Lake Beratan, Sutiana told that the strategic function of the lake was not only cover the surrounding area but also Bali as a whole. Whilst he did not have data showing this trend in longer period, he believes that more than environmental preservation of the surrounding forest, seasonal aspect remained the main reason.

Member of Tabanan House of Representatives Manu Mudita informed that a number of farming groups in Panebel was suffering for decreasing water flow caused by decreasing number of creeks, and decreasing debit of remaining ones. Whilst he agreed that dry season was the main reason, he also pointed to decreasing forest coverage and improper water allocation management.