Bali lost 6,500 hectares of rice fields, now locals are buying water

# Bali Faces Water Crisis as Rice Fields Disappear

Bali has lost approximately 6,500 hectares of rice fields, creating a significant water availability crisis for local residents who are now forced to purchase water. The loss of these agricultural lands has directly impacted the island's water supply and put strain on local groundwater resources.

The disappearance of the rice fields is linked to tourism expansion across the island. As the tourism industry has grown, increased demand from tourism facilities has placed significant strain on groundwater resources, compounding the water shortage problem. This expansion has come at the expense of traditional agricultural land.

The historic subak irrigation system, which has long been central to Bali's rice farming and water management, is now under considerable pressure. The loss of the rice fields threatens both the subak system itself and the broader ecological balance of the region. The situation reflects a fundamental conflict between economic development through tourism and the sustainability of traditional water management infrastructure and agricultural practices.