The Bali Provincial Government is taking steps to protect and safeguard beaches and coastal areas that hold traditional, social, and economic significance for local communities.
The Bali Provincial Government, together with the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD Bali), has drafted a Regional Regulation (Rancangan Peraturan Daerah or Raperda) on the protection of beaches and coastal areas to support traditional ceremonies, social activities, and the economic pursuits of local Balinese communities. The Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, conveyed this during the 12th Plenary Session of DPRD Bali on Monday, the 17th of November.
“The Bali Provincial Draft Regulation on the protection of beaches and coastal areas for traditional ceremonies, social activities, and the economic endeavours of local communities was drafted on the basis that beaches and coastal areas in Bali hold religious significance for the Balinese people and contain natural resources that must be preserved for the benefit as well as well-being of the community,” Koster said.
The Governor further detailed that beaches and coastal areas are also strategic locations with spiritual functions, serving as spaces for rituals, social interaction, and economic activities.
“However, recently we have observed that the role of beaches and coastal areas as spaces for religious, social, and economic activities is increasingly under pressure from their use as public recreational spaces,” Koster continued.
Moreover, according to Koster, access for people wishing to participate in traditional ceremonies such as Segara Kerti and Pakelem is becoming more restricted. As a result, the Bali Provincial Government seeks to protect and safeguard beaches and coastal areas in order to uphold the values of Balinese local wisdom, Sat Kerti.
“It is therefore necessary to draft and enact a Bali Provincial Regulation [Raperda] on the protection of beaches and coastal areas for traditional ceremonies, social activities, and the local economy. This regulation is urgently needed by the Balinese people,” he added.
In response to reports of restricted beach access, Gabungan Industri Pariwisata Indonesia or GIPI Bali underscored that they have been complying with existing regulations. Additionally, GIPI Bali Chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana also expressed support for the planned establishment of a Regional Regulation on the Protection of Beaches and Coastal Areas for Traditional Ceremonies, Social Activities, and the Economy of Local Communities.
“GIPI Bali appreciates the Governor’s concern regarding the management of beach access. [Nevertheless,] the majority of tourism businesses [in Bali] have not restricted public access, and [they] continue to adhere to regulations,” Adnyana told the press on the following Tuesday (the 18th of November).