Bali's Gianyar Subak System Under Pressure from Development, Farmers Face Water and Pest Crisis

In Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia, the traditional Subak irrigation system, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is facing a severe crisis due to tourism development. Farmers are battling increasing pest infestations and water scarcity, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Made Kuter, a 63-year-old farmer cultivating 30 acres in Subak Padang Legi, Desa Medahan, is resorting to homemade rat poison as rodent attacks have intensified significantly since last year, affecting three consecutive planting seasons. "The number of rats is uncountable," Kuter stated. Water management is another pressing issue. During the dry season, water flow diminishes, while heavy rains in the wet season cause rivers to overflow, inundating rice fields. In September 2025, Kuter's fields experienced flooding for the first time due to a river surge following intense rainfall. "Harvest is uncertain. There's no water now, the water has dried up," he lamented. Similar conditions are reported in the Pakerisan River Basin. Ketut Sugata, Chairman of the Pakerisan River Basin Farmers' Forum, attributes the floods to reduced soil absorption and water retention capacity. "Flooding has occurred several times. The cause is the decrease in water absorption and retention capacity that used to exist," Sugata explained. The Subak system is more than just an irrigation method; it embodies the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, promoting harmony between humans, God, and nature. Its landscape was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 2012. However, the system is now under immense pressure from land conversion, fragmenting the once-continuous rice fields into areas interspersed with buildings. This transformation threatens the very sustainability of the Subak. Source: Mongabay Indonesia