Bali is changing fast, but not always for the better. Behind the postcard beauty of rice fields and lush river valleys, the island is quietly losing the very landscapes that keep it alive and resilient. Floods earlier this month were not just a natural disaster—they were a stark reminder of how vulnerable Bali has become.
Farmland is shrinking, forests are vanishing, and concrete keeps spreading. What looks like progress on the surface hides a deeper crisis: the loss of green spaces that provide food, culture, and natural protection. Without urgent action, the island’s future risks being built on fragile ground.
Bali’s Shrinking Land: A Warning for the Island’s Future
When devastating floods hit Bali earlier this month, the tragedy exposed a deeper issue: the island is losing its green spaces at an alarming rate.
According to the National Land Agency (BPN) of Bali, in just six years the island has lost more than 6,500 hectares of rice fields—a reduction of 9.19%, or an average of 1.53% each year. In Denpasar alone, farmland loss has reached a staggering 38.83%. Gianyar follows with 18.85%, while Tabanan remains more stable thanks to its protected rice field zones.
This conversion of farmland to concrete has far-reaching consequences. Rice fields are not just productive land—they are cultural icons, food security sources, and natural drainage systems. When they vanish, so too does Bali’s ability to absorb heavy rainfall.
Forest Cover at 3%: A Critical Threshold
The problem extends upstream. The Ministry of Environment recently revealed that the Ayung River Basin (DAS)—which includes Tukad Badung, Tukad Mati, and Tukad Singapadu—now has only 1,500 hectares of tree cover out of 49,500 hectares total. That’s just 3%, far below the 30% minimum threshold ecologists recommend for healthy watersheds.
This lack of cover reduces infiltration, increases runoff, accelerates erosion, and worsens downstream flooding. In short: the land can no longer protect itself.
The provincial government has promised evaluation, rehabilitation, and stricter controls on land conversion. While some ideas were floated before the recent governor elections—such as a ban on new hotels and restaurants on productive farmland—those proposals have since been cancelled, and it might be back again.The urgency, however, remains.
A Crisis Bigger Than One Cause
As we highlighted in last month’s Kaltimber article, floods in Bali are never caused by a single factor. Waste clogging waterways, weak drainage systems, and poor spatial planning all amplify the destruction when heavy rain hits. Now, with agricultural land loss and forest cover collapse, the island faces a multidimensional crisis where environment, culture, and livelihoods are all at stake.
The Meteorology Agency has warned that the coming wet season (September 2025 – April 2026) will likely be longer and wetter than usual, raising the risk of further flooding events. Without systemic action, these disasters could become more frequent and severe.
Why This Matters for Building
Construction is part of Bali’s growth story, but also part of its challenges. Land clearing for residential and tourism projects has eaten into rice fields and forests, leaving the island more vulnerable than ever.
This does not mean that building must stop—it means that building must evolve. Materials, methods, and mindsets matter. Choosing to build with durability in mind helps reduce pressure to constantly replace and rebuild.
A Mindset of Respect and Longevity
At Kaltimber, our work with reclaimed ironwood is rooted in this principle: creating beauty and function that lasts, while respecting natural limits. Though our wood does not come from Bali, our philosophy resonates with what Bali urgently needs—a way of building that values longevity over short-term gain, and responsibility over unchecked expansion.
If Bali’s future is to remain green, cultural, and livable, construction must align with resilience. Every decision—where to build, how to build, and what to build with—shapes not just a single project, but the island’s collective tomorrow.