Tourists traveling to Bali’s Kintamani region in the last couple of weeks may have noticed something a little less than ideal about the iconic travel destination.
Kintamani is currently dealing with a fly infestation that both locals and tourists want brought under control as quickly as possible.
Kintamani is one of Bali’s fastest-growing travel destinations. Once upon a time, Kintamani was seen by many tourists as a small town to pass through on the way to Mount Batur’s trailheads.
However, over the last five years, the area has seen a surge in tourist demand and has become a thriving destination, home to some of the best coffee roasters on the island, as well as incredible accommodation options. Many agro-tourism projects have opened up as well.
Due to its high elevation, Kintamani is one of the most agriculturally productive regions of Bali. Here, local farmers grow everything from oranges to cloves, coffee to bananas.
However, in recent weeks, the area has been hit by what locals are describing as a ‘fly pandemic’. This was once something of a seasonal phenomenon, especially during the rainy season; however, locals have cited two key reasons why the situation seems to be getting worse.
The first is unmanaged waste, which has become a big issue in central Kintamani and the surrounding villages, especially as tourism has blossomed. The unmanaged waste has become a breeding ground for the flies. The second issue is that many farmers are using raw chicken manure on their crops as fertilizer. Many farmers in this region operate mixed farming systems, farming both chickens and pigs alongside crops.
Local tourism business owner Ketut Putranata spoke to reporters about the issue and relayed the explanation given to him by the Environmental Agency (DLH), which has confirmed that action is being taken.
The Environmental Agency will be working to promote waste management best practise to businesses in the area, as well as the local community.
Putranata shared, “We really welcome this. It must be implemented in all companies. Companies must be guided, reinforced and companies must also be commited to waste sorting.”
He pledged his support for cross-sector collaboration between farmers and tourism businesses to help mitigate the situation in such a way that brings benefit for everyone.
Putranata explained, “We won’t want to seem as if tourism is putting pressure on agriculture. We don’t want that. Because the two are interdependent.”
He conceded, “This concedes tourism image. It can’t just be about Kintamani. It’s definitely about Bangli Regency and Bali. Therefore, we encourage the government to collaborate with higher-level governments, such as the provincial government and even the central government.”
“If there is an injection of funds from there, as the government has seemed this a serious issue, then the local government will certainly be given financial relief.”
The issue of government support is already in motion, and there are hopes that new solutions will offer sustained improvement for communities across the island as well as the tourism sector. Bali Governor Wayan Koster has just met with the British Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Matthew Downing, to discuss the special relationship between Bali and the UK.
The Deputy Ambassador told Governor Koster that the UK is ready to support with a range of issues that Bali is currently facing, including traffic congestion and waste management. He noted, “We are ready to assist through waste management, recycling, and behavioral change education consulting.”
For tourists traveling to Kintamani, the reality is simple; no additional or extreme measures need to be taken. While the fly issue is a huge concern, it must be kept in context. The presence of flies is limited to specific areas of the region, and while some people have referred to it as a ‘pandemic’, the situation is not so extreme as to impact the overall travel experience in Kintamani.
Top attractions in Kintamani include Mount Batur, Lake Batur, and the Pinggin Village Sunrise Viewing spot. Must visit cafes and coffee roasters, including Paperhills, Akasa, and el lago. While there are many wonderful hotels in Kintamani, glamping on the banks of Lake Batur is truly magical and highly recommended by us here at The Bali Sun.
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