BeritaBali reports that KEKAL Bali, FRONTIER Bali, and WALHI Bali have joined forces to publicly protest in Central Denpasar on Monday, 06 July 2026, and demand a moratorium on tourism development to address pressures on the environment, community living spaces, clean water availability, and the quality of democracy on the Island of the Gods.
Those joining the public protest believe Bali is facing serious challenges from the rapid growth of its tourism sector. They point to rising pressures on the environment, community living spaces, clean water availability, and the quality of democracy on the Island of the Gods.
The view was expressed in a formal joint statement titled “The Great Plague: Restore Bali & Indonesia.” The three organizations believe Bali is at a crossroads and must decide between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
The Secretary General of FRONTIER Bali, I Wayan Sathya Tirtayasa, said the term “‘The Great Plague’ (Grubug Agung)” was chosen to describe a crisis that not only relates to environmental issues but also touches on social and democratic aspects.
“We view that the problems occurring in Bali are not isolated. The water crisis, land conversion, environmental pressure, and the shrinking opportunity to voice criticism are interrelated issues. Therefore, bold steps are needed to change the direction of public policy,” Tirtayasa said on Monday, 06 July 2026.
The coalition of Bali environment groups believes the growth of the tourism industry has not been fully balanced by governance capable of maintaining environmental carrying capacity. They say overtourism has driven agricultural land conversion, increased waste volume, and raised demand for clean water.
Source: Barometer Bali
In their joint statement, the coalition cited data indicating that the annual agricultural land conversion in Bali totals around 1,125 hectares. They also cited research showing that most hotels still rely on groundwater to meet operational needs, with star-rated hotels consuming at least 800 liters of water per room per day.
Given these conditions, the coalition proposes a moratorium on tourism development as a necessary measure to evaluate governance of the tourism sector, strengthen natural resource protection, and ensure that development is carried out in accordance with Bali’s environmental carrying capacity.
In addition to environmental issues, the organization also highlights the challenges facing democracy. They call for earnest protection for human rights defenders and environmental activists who criticize public policies.
The coalition also believes that the ongoing weakening of the rupiah and rising prices of non-subsidized fuel could raise the cost of living. They say this may lead to higher prices for basic necessities amid the economic pressures already felt by many residents.
Via their combined statement, KEKAL Bali, FRONTIER Bali, and WALHI Bali are urging the central government and the Bali Provincial Government to urgently take concrete steps, starting with a moratorium on tourism development, strengthening protection for human rights and environmental defenders, and maintaining economic stability to prevent further burdens on the Balinese people.
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