Have you visited Bali’s Jatiliwuh Rice Terraces in the last week? You may have noticed something a little different about the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is because farmers and landowners have been protesting against the government’s orders to demolish buildings while simultaneously creating new legislation that could allow new structures to be built all of which potentially compromises the landscape’s UNESCO status.
A total of 13 buildings within the Jatiluwih Rice Terrace area have been issued with removal orders after an investigation found a series of spatial planning regulations had been violated.
Building owners have been issued with two rounds of warning letters, SP1 and SP2, earlier this year. The structures in question are a series of long-standing buildings that have been constructed by local farmers and land owners as small shelters, storage sheds, and simple food stalls and warungs on the working rice terrace landscape.
The third round of warning letters, SP3 notices, was issued last week, prompting a response from local farmers who are concerned that the government is selectively issuing closure notices to prioritize tourism over the needs and rights of local farmers.
To protest the removal orders, landowners have installed corrugated iron sheets in the ridges of the rice terraces with the intention of obstructing the view for visitors. The iron sheets have been installed on privately owned land and are not causing any environmental harm since the sheets are attached to wooden stakes standing in the ground.
Speaking to repotted Nengah Darmika Yasa, said the installation of the iron sheets isn’t simply a demonstration, but rather a way to preserve this World Cultural Heritage Site and working rice paddy from tourism development and commercialisation. He shared, “It’s not a demonstration, it’s a way to preserve it. We’re being called environmental destroyers on social media. Which environment are we destroying?”
Yasa confirmed that he has paid both land and restaurant taxes on the small building constructed on his private land, however, the demolition orders issued by the government do not offer any kind of compensation.
He told reporters “I’m a farmer, and I want to enjoy the development of tourism in my own area by opening a food stall. If I rely solely on farming, how much income can I get? Honestly, I’m shocked and disappointed by the government’s closure.”
He added, “I’m a farmer cultivating 12 ares of land. I have a wife and children, and can’t rely solely on that. Meanwhile, the Jatiluwih Tourism Office (DTW) only provides fertilizer and seeds.”
The former Manager of the Jatiluwih Tourist Attraction (DTW), I Nengah Sutirtayasa, told reporters that if the thirteen buildings are closed, around 300 local people could lose their jobs.
He noted, “Most of the workers are children of local farmers. They work in accommodations and then return home to help their parents in the fields. If they have to find work outside, the farming generation will be lost. Meanwhile, the majority of the remaining farmers are now over 50 years old.”
Local senators I Gusti Ngurah Kesuma Kelakan and I Nyoman Adi Wiryatama have been spearheading the issue and have spoken to reporters about routes forward from here. They confirmed that they have the Tabanan Regency Government and the Bali Provincial Government to act quickly to save Jatiluwih from the threat of commercialization.
Kelakan told reporters, “The immediate step that must be taken is to first resolve this issue together with the regional government and the legislature.” He added The ultimate solution is to preserve agricultural land and improve the welfare of the local community, including rice farmers and farm laborers in Jatiluwih.”
Wiryatama told reporters that a cooperative approach is necessary, noting, “Let’s sit down together to find the best solution between the government, farming communities, and entrepreneurs so that Jatiluwih remains one of the world’s best villages.”
A response has been issued by the Tabanan Regency Government. The Regent of Tabanan, Komang Gede Sanjaya, confirmed on Monday, 8th December, that the regency government will implement a new zero-tax policy on rice fields within the Jatiluwih subak area starting in 2026.
He also confirmed that the government will guarantee the price of rice to provide certainty for farmers and ensure their welfare is maintained.
Land owners have confirmed that the steel sheets will remain in place until a satisfactory solution has been found regarding the buildings.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are open and welcoming tourists on a daily basis. While the metal sheets have been installed to obstruct the view, in reality the installations do not ruin the view, and tourists can easily enjoy a safe, inspiring and visually impressive day out at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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