Karangasem Farmland Plan Raises Tourism Investment Concerns

Amlapura — Karangasem’s proposed protected sustainable-food farmland allocation is projected to cover 5.479,51 hectares, or 91,69 percent of the regency’s mapped rice-field area. The Perhimpunan Hotel dan Restoran Indonesia (PHRI) Karangasem supports protecting productive farmland but says the policy should preserve room for tourism investment and that incoming projects must be properly verified.

The proposed allocation follows Bali’s effort to meet the provincial requirement for protected sustainable-food farmland. Karangasem’s mapped rice-field area is listed at 5.976,13 hectares. About 5.200 hectares, or roughly 88 percent, had previously been included in the protected category; the proposed adjustment would add more than 200 hectares.

PHRI Karangasem chairman I Wayan Kariasa said farmland protection remains important for food sustainability. He also said the designation should be selective and take account of land conditions and productivity. In his view, tourism development still needs space, but investment should be controlled and aligned with Karangasem’s infrastructure and access limitations.

Why the 91,69 percent allocation matters for Karangasem investment

For foreign businesses and residents, the proposal signals that land designated as protected sustainable-food farmland is being reserved for agricultural purposes rather than treated as open space for tourism development. Projects proposed elsewhere in Karangasem would still face the local planning and verification requirements described by PHRI, while the available development area could become more constrained.

The issue reflects a broader provincial calculation: Karangasem is expected to take on a larger protected-farmland share after three Bali regencies or municipalities were judged unable to meet the minimum requirement. Local officials and tourism representatives have raised concerns that the adjustment could narrow room for infrastructure and tourism-support facilities. PHRI’s position combines support for food security with a request that tourism investment remain viable and that projects entering the regency deliver clear benefits to residents and the local government.

Sources

• NusaBali — regional news organisation
• detik.com
• bali.tribunnews.com
• balipost.com