Bali Governor Wayan Koster has banned all visitors and local communities from activities on all of the Indonesian island’s 22 mountains effective immediately and “forever”, including iconic volcano peaks such as Mount Batur and Mount Agung.
The Bali mountain ban is the latest in a series of government crackdowns on the rise of unruly tourist behaviour on the island such as calls for restrictions on tourists hiring scooters and new visitor guidelines.
The Bali Sun recently reported that Governor Koster, tourism stakeholders and residents want a crackdown on illegal behaviour by international visitors as well as disrespectful actions towards Balinese culture.
However, locals and business owners whose lives and livelihoods hinge on the island’s mountains and volcanoes have major concerns with the move.
Situated near Mount Batukaru, Wangaya Gede Traditional Village relies on income generated from tourism activities on the mountain.
A village spokesperson said: “I agree to keep chaste. But disagree when people should be banned. We have been fighting in the village for two years to keep the mountains and temples pure. This is suddenly a ban.”
Locals called on the government to consider implementing clearer and stricter regulations on activities on the mountain before enforcing the ban.
There’s concern that prohibiting visitors and even locals from visiting Bali’s mountains will have an immediate negative impact on tourism.
In the communities around Bali’s highest volcano, Mount Agung, the ban blindsided trekking guides who said it will have a flow-on effect on locally run tourism businesses such as guesthouses and cafes.
While the announcement appears permanent and will immediately impact travellers to the island, growing pressure from local leaders and communities in Bali might see the provincial government reconsider the total ban on the mountains.
Via The Bali Sun