Bali Halts New Hotel Permits After Devastating Floods

Resilienceapac – Bali Halts New Hotel permits in the aftermath of one of the island’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years. Governor I Wayan Koster announced on Saturday that the provincial government will stop issuing licenses to convert farmland into commercial areas such as hotels, restaurants, and other tourism facilities. The decision comes after catastrophic floods earlier this week claimed 17 lives, with Denpasar recording the highest toll of 11 fatalities.

Koster announced in Denpasar that starting in 2025, the government will stop granting permits to convert productive land for commercial use. He added that after flood recovery efforts, he will reconvene with local leaders to ensure that developers do not build new hotels, restaurants, or tourism projects on rice fields or farmland. His remarks highlight a critical shift in Bali’s development policy, which has long prioritized tourism expansion over agricultural preservation.

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Environmental Concerns Amplified

The policy decision that Bali Halts New Hotel development reflects mounting concerns over the island’s fragile ecosystem. Bali, home to over four million residents and welcoming millions of tourists annually. Has experienced rapid growth in its hospitality sector. Hotels, villas, and restaurants have been key drivers of economic progress. But also major contributors to land conversion, deforestation, and water scarcity.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq emphasized that the floods are a warning sign. “The Environment Ministry will coordinate with provincial and district governments to create a new spatial plan supported by a strategic environmental review,” he said. According to Hanif, more than 400 hectares of forest have been cleared since 2015. Leaving Bali with only about 1,500 hectares of forest cover. He warned that extreme rainfall, coupled with declining natural buffers, has made the island highly vulnerable to disasters.

Mass Cleanup and Recovery Efforts

As recovery efforts intensify, more than 1,100 people including residents, military personnel, police officers, Governor Koster, and Minister Hanif joined forces on Sunday to clear flood debris along the Badung River and in Denpasar’s Badung and Kumbasari markets. These vital commercial areas were left buried under tons of waste.

Hanif prioritized waste removal as an emergency and ordered authorities to transfer all collected debris to Suwung landfill within a month. He noted that workers have already collected 84 tons of waste. And the total may reach 210 tons in the coming days. Failure to manage this waste, he warned, could harm public health and local ecosystems.

Alongside cleanup operations, the ministry distributed 350 relief packages to traders and residents most affected by the floods. For Bali, the tragedy has become a stark reminder of the urgent need to balance tourism growth with environmental sustainability. By declaring that Bali Halts New Hotel permits on farmland, the government signals a turning point in its development agenda. Prioritizing resilience over unchecked expansion.

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This article is based on reporting from The Jakarta Globe. Particularly its story “Bali Freezes New Hotel Permits in Wake of Flood Disaster.”

Writer By: Rahma Azhari | Editor By: Randa Saragi