Mountain Of Tourist Landfill Threatening Bali's Paradise (2014)

Journeyman Pictures
12 Sept 201615:48

Summary

TLDRBali, a popular tourist destination, faces significant environmental and social challenges due to its booming tourism industry. With over 10 million visitors annually, the island struggles with waste management, water scarcity, and the displacement of locals. Activists and community members are fighting against unsustainable development, such as the controversial land reclamation in Benoa Bay, which threatens the environment and local businesses. Amidst these pressures, efforts are underway to preserve Bali's culture, tradition, and land, but many fear it's becoming too late to save the island from irreversible damage.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Bali is facing a huge influx of tourists, with over 10 million visitors expected this year, almost three times the local population.
  • 🌿 The growing tourism industry is putting immense stress on Bali's resources, such as land, water, and waste management.
  • 🗑️ A significant waste disposal problem exists on the island, with toxic runoff contaminating groundwater, which is a primary water source for locals.
  • 💧 Environmental activist Mike Oi is pushing for sustainable development practices and waste management projects to address the environmental impact.
  • 🏘️ The local population is suffering as many workers live in poor conditions, with little improvement in their standard of living despite the island’s booming economy.
  • 🌾 Traditional practices, like weaving, are being promoted to offer locals alternative means of income, especially in the face of limited job opportunities in the tourism sector.
  • 🙏 Religious ceremonies, like those at sacred temples, play a key role in maintaining cultural values and emphasize the importance of living in harmony with the environment.
  • 🚰 Bali’s ancient canal system, known as the subak, is crucial for rice farming and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012, but it faces threats due to development.
  • 🏢 Development pressures are increasing as land prices rise and farmers are increasingly selling their land to developers, contributing to the loss of agricultural land.
  • 🌍 Bali's tourism sector is growing rapidly, with new hotels and projects like the Benoa Bay land reclamation underway, which raises concerns about environmental degradation and community displacement.

Q & A

  • What environmental issue is being highlighted in Bali?

    -The environmental issue highlighted is the large amount of waste generated by tourism, which is dumped in an area outside the main tourist trail, contaminating the groundwater that supplies drinking water to the region.

  • How is Moco addressing Bali's waste problem?

    -Moco is working on waste management initiatives, such as beach cleanups and waste separation, to educate locals on the importance of recycling and waste disposal.

  • What is the impact of development on Bali's workers and communities?

    -The development has led to the exploitation of local workers, with many living in substandard conditions in shantytowns while working in the tourism sector, underpaid despite the booming industry.

  • What cultural and spiritual aspects are being threatened by the development in Bali?

    -The traditional cultural practices, like ceremonies and the water management system (subak), which are deeply tied to Bali’s rice-based economy, are under threat due to rapid development and land selling.

  • What is the subak system and why is it significant to Bali?

    -The subak system is an ancient canal irrigation system that supports rice cultivation. It’s vital to Bali's culture and economy, and it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012.

  • What are the concerns regarding the Benoi Bay land reclamation project?

    -The main concerns are environmental degradation, including the destruction of coral reefs, fish habitats, and the local economy, as well as the negative impact on the conservation status of the area.

  • What stance does Bali’s Governor take on the Benoi Bay reclamation project?

    -Bali’s Governor supports the project, arguing that land reclamation is necessary for growth and that it can be done without damaging the environment, citing examples from other global cities.

  • Why do some individuals oppose the Benoi Bay reclamation project despite its potential economic benefits?

    -Opponents argue that the environmental impact, particularly the damage to local marine life and ecosystems, outweighs any potential economic benefits and that it undermines the region’s conservation efforts.

  • How is Bali's tourism boom affecting the local community?

    -The tourism boom has led to land being sold to developers, with skyrocketing property prices pushing locals out of their homes and disrupting traditional farming practices.

  • What is the role of art in protecting Bali’s culture and environment?

    -Artists and activists are using art as a form of protest, with installations and paintings that call attention to the harmful effects of development on Bali’s culture, land, and environment.

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Related Tags
Bali TourismEnvironmental IssuesWaste ManagementCultural PreservationLand DevelopmentSustainable TourismConservationLocal CommunitiesEco ActivismTraditional Weaving