DENPASAR – The Bali Provincial Government has officially imposed a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, restaurants, and other commercial infrastructures on productive land and water catchment areas. This strategic move by Governor Wayan Koster aims to restore environmental balance following the devastating floods that claimed 18 lives and left four others missing.

The policy was announced after a coordination meeting with Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, the Regent of Badung, the Mayor of Denpasar, and the Bali Provincial Forkopimda at the Kerthasabha Building, Denpasar, on Saturday, September 14, 2025.

“Starting this year, in accordance with the Bali 100-Year Vision, from 2025 onwards there must be no conversion of productive land for commercial purposes such as hotels and restaurants. I have issued this instruction to all regents and mayors,” Koster emphasized on Monday (Sept 15), Quoted from Metrotvnews.

Minister Hanif Faisol highlighted the critical condition of the Ayung River watershed, which now retains only 3 percent forest cover out of a total of 49,500 hectares. “With only 3 percent remaining, its capacity to absorb extreme rainfall is obviously very limited,” he said. Hanif expressed full support for Koster’s initiative to halt land conversion and confirmed that a team from the Ministry would work with local authorities to reassess Bali’s Spatial Strategic Environmental Assessment (KLHS).

The provincial government is also preparing reforestation and revegetation programs alongside a comprehensive spatial plan evaluation. Disaster waste, estimated at 210 tons, will be processed at the Suwung landfill. President Prabowo has also instructed the acceleration of a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility to strengthen long-term waste management.

Despite the recent disaster, Koster assured that Bali remains safe and tourism activities continue as usual. Data show that foreign tourist arrivals are stable, averaging 21,000–22,000 visitors per day. The government is also expediting the restoration of traditional markets, such as Badung and Kumbasari, to allow vendors to resume operations promptly.

“With the support of both the central and regional governments, we ensure that post-flood recovery will be completed this week. Bali is safe, and all community and tourism activities have returned to normal,” Koster affirmed. (*)