Bali's ancient rice fields and water system face pressure from tourism and development

Bali's terraced rice fields, integral to the 1,000-year-old subak irrigation system, are under increasing pressure due to expanding tourism and urban development. This community-managed network, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage cultural landscape, traditionally distributed water from volcanic mountains and replenished underground aquifers. However, nearly 6,500 hectares of rice fields have disappeared in the past five years, according to Bali's National Land Agency. This loss reduces the island's natural capacity to store rainwater and replenish groundwater. The rapid growth of hotels, villas, and other tourism facilities has also sharply increased freshwater demand, leading to greater groundwater extraction and falling water tables. This forces communities to purchase water and risks saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. The disappearance of rice terraces threatens not only agricultural livelihoods and the subak system's cooperative management but also the island's environmental balance and water security. Experts emphasize that preserving these landscapes is crucial for both cultural heritage and future water resources, urging a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation.