Bali Demolishes Pejarakan Forest Villas Over Permit Violations

Singaraja — Bali Governor Wayan Koster oversaw the demolition of villa structures in the Pejarakan village forest in Buleleng on Saturday, 12 September 2026, after provincial authorities said the development lacked key permits and did not comply with the area’s approved social-forestry management plan.

The enforcement took place in Banjar Dinas Goris Kemiri, Pejarakan village, Gerokgak district, in a limited production forest area that forms part of the social-forestry scheme managed by the Wana Makmur Pejarakan forest management institution. Satpol PP Bali led the demolition with other agencies, while Koster attended the operation and symbolically began dismantling the buildings.

Local and national reports differ on the number of villas involved. Some describe three villa units in the village forest, while others refer to a single permanent villa and associated tourist facilities at the site. Satpol PP officials said heavy concrete construction meant the work was expected to take several days.

Why authorities ordered the demolition

According to provincial and local media, the villas were not listed in the approved Social Forestry Management Plan, known as RKPS, for the Pejarakan forest area. Officials also cited the absence of a spatial-use suitability approval, or KKPR, and missing forestry-sector business licences.

Authorities stated that the development lacked additional approvals, including a building approval (PBG) and permits for groundwater use. Reports said groundwater extraction had already taken place for the project, although details on the scale of use were not disclosed.

Satpol PP Bali chief I Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi said the use of reinforced concrete in the structures went against an understanding with the forest manager that facilities in the area should use more environmentally friendly materials, particularly wood, to match the forest’s social-forestry function.

Officials said the owner received three warning letters before enforcement. Koster and Satpol PP officers stated that the owner did not carry out voluntary demolition or complete the required permits, prompting the provincial government to proceed with the operation.

The owner, identified as Ketut Danu, attended the demolition and expressed acceptance of the decision. He told reporters he would cooperate with the dismantling, and Satpol PP noted that he joined officers during the process.

Restoration plans and financial impact

The governor assigned Bali’s Environment and Forestry Agency to restore the forest area once the structures are removed, including rehabilitation and reforestation to return the land to its social-forestry function. Provincial officials said the land would be replanted to reinforce the area’s status as part of a community-managed forest.

Danu told local media he had already invested about Rp1 billion in the project and that several villa units were in different stages of completion when the demolition began. He said the development was intended as rental accommodation, but acknowledged that the project had not completed all mandatory procedures under the social-forestry and spatial-planning rules.

Koster said the Pejarakan case should serve as a warning to other developments in forest and social-forestry areas and as a reference for future enforcement in Bali. Provincial officials indicated they would continue monitoring tourist accommodation projects in forest zones and act against those that do not meet licensing and environmental requirements.

Sources

• NusaBali
• RRI Singaraja
• Detik Bali
• Bisnis.com Bali
• Tribun-Bali (Pol PP focus story)
• Desa Pejarakan official website