Tourism Vs Culture Controversy Strikes Again As Paragliders Fly Over Bali Temple

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Communities and leaders in Bali have been speaking out over a highly controversial incident. Paragliders were recorded flying over Gunung Paying Temple on the Bukit Peninsula.

In Balinese Hindu culture, it is considered deeply offensive for anyone to be above the highest point of a temple. 

The video of a paraglider circling over Gunung Paying Temple in Kutuh Village close to Uluwatu has gone viral, and each iteration of the video has gathered tens of thousands of comments.

Bali Senator Ni Luh Djelantik wrote on social media, “Tourism is indeed a source of foreign exchange, but use your conscience to protect the dignity of our homeland.”

Local reports visited the Head of Kutuh Traditional Village, Jro Mangku Nyoman Mesir, who emphasized that paragliding activities managed by Kutuh Village have clear SOPs, including a prohibition on flying over the temple. He revealed, however, that some paragliding groups from outside Kutuh Village also fly in the area, which is difficult to monitor.”

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Mesir told reporters, “Paragliding operators managed by Kutuh Village have standard operating procedures (SOPs), prohibiting flying over the temple, and there are signs. There are paragliding groups from outside Kutuh Village, which makes it difficult to monitor. Earlier, we were summoned by the Air Force Base and FASI (Indonesian Aero Sports Federation).”

Speaking separately, the Badung Regent Wayan Adi Arnawa stated that he will order the Badung Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) to inspect the paragliding business in the area. Regent Arnawa explained, “I’ll try to coordinate with you later. We’ll suggest that it not be above the temple, and that the radius be regulated accordingly. I will assign the Satpol PP to take enforcement measures.”

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He committed to ensuring that the rules and regulations are obeyed by all paragliders who operate in the area, whether as part of a business or flying independently.

Regent Arnawa concluded, “We’re not banning it, but we’re regulating the radius so it doesn’t fly over temples.”

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While paragliding is increasing in popularity in Bali, tourists have been urged to ensure that they have fully comprehensive health and travel insurance before booking these kinds of experiences. In many cases, paragliding is not included as a standard activity in most travel insurance policies, and is only covered as part of add-on ‘adventure’ packages. 

In late July, two paragliders from South Korea died while paragliding in the Kutuh Village area. The couple, known by their initials JH and HS, were experienced paragliders who took an independent paragliding flight over Tanah Barak Beach.

The Head of Public Relations of the Denpasar Police, AKP I Ketut Sukadi, told reporters following the incident, “Two Korean nationals were found floating in the sea, allegedly after failing to make an emergency landing while paragliding.”

The couple had arranged to conduct an independent flight but had been in communication with Panda Paragliding, who provided the take-off and landing locations. 

Sukadi told reporters, “At 11:00 WITA, a group of nine tourists from South Korea arrived. One of the instructors was tasked with conducting the solo flight.”

The incident took place after just 10 minutes into the flight, and while the pair were flying at around 80m, the wind suddenly changed direction, throwing them into the waters off Tanah Barak Beach.

Sukadi explained, “When landing in the water, it is suspected that the two victims were late in releasing the cocoon harness (paragliding seat).” The pair is reported to have been crushed and tangled by the parachute and chords.

Sukadi added, “About 20 minutes later, one of the pilots at Panda Para Layang provided assistance to the two victims.” Though both JH and HS were rushed to Surya Husada Hospital in Nusa Dua, both passed away.