Bali News / Bali Travel and Holiday Updates

The gorge of Ayung River which was once covered by lush tropical forest has now changed into a bare land full of private villas. The situation has negatively affected the ability of the land to absorb rain water, resulting in inevitable landslides.

At the moment the gorge of River Ayung at Sayan Village – a popular enclave of luxurious holiday accommodation facilities near Ubud – is severely damaged. Once popular for its beautiful valley views has now changed by the presence of tourism facilities – mostly Ubud villas – built by ignoring environmental impacts.

Above the landslide location on the east-side valley of River Ayung sits a hotel construction which is suspected to be built without proper license on hand. Anonymous source interviewed by Bali Post daily said that construction of the hotel was started about a year ago. Built on a piece of land owned by a local resident of Banjar Kutuh, Sayan, the hotel was built by bluntly ignoring environmental impact. As the land lost its ability to absorb rain water, landslides take place almost every time hard rain falls.

Government is expected to issue and then strictly enforce regulation related to environmental preservation, otherwise any development efforts will turn into failures in a long run. With regard to destroyed environment, the Chairman of Environmental Caucus of Gianyar, I.B. Minaka said that these kinds environmental abuse are fully at the government’s responsibility, not the local residents. The government is issuing the construction licenses. If the constructions are built without holding proper license, then the government holds the authority to enforce the law. Law enforcement to stop environmental abuse is essential especially considering the fact that all damages were caused by excessive construction.

The fact shows that almost all environmental damages are caused by economic reasons, including tourism development without clearly defined concept. Unclear definition of land allocation zoning has also taken significant part in addition to weak law enforcement to violations.