-1

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the management of the Bali Province Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It focuses on the Subak—traditional farmer organizations managing irrigation—and argues that the site's survival depends on the active, meaningful participation of these farmers and the resolution of socio-economic pressures such as land conversion, water scarcity, and the high cost of rituals.

• The Bali Province Cultural Landscape is one of only two 'living' cultural landscapes in Southeast Asia. Its successful management requires the active role of the Subak, as centuries-old traditions are at risk unless farmers receive necessary support.
• Subak farmers, including the pekaseh (group leaders), are prepared to participate in the management of the World Heritage Site due to their long-standing history of democratic and deliberative decision-making. They specifically require effective participation mechanisms and sustained support for water supply and organic farming.
• The Subak face several critical challenges: rising costs of rituals, a shift toward intensive agricultural production, a decline in family labor and youth interest in farming, reduced water availability, high land taxes, and incentives to convert rice fields for other uses.
• Rituals are central to Subak life but are financially burdensome. For example, five main annual rituals at Pura Luhur Batukaru cost at least 40 million rupiah (3,333 USD). This financial pressure leads farmers to prefer new rice varieties with shorter growing seasons (three months) over traditional local varieties (five to six months) that require more rituals.
• Initial implementation of the World Heritage Site status faced obstacles due to a lack of accountability from the original nominating group and a 'Management Board' (Dewan Pengelola) perceived as a top-down, formal entity. This board excluded key actors such as the Raja of Tabanan, the Pemangku Adat Batukaru, and local NGOs. In 2014, it was replaced by a Coordination Forum (Forum Koordinasi) led by the Provincial Regional Secretary.
• Tourism significantly impacts Bali's economy, contributing nearly 30% of its GDP in 2013 and employing 28% of the workforce. While tourism is seen as an opportunity, it has increased waste, water demand, and traffic in the Catur Angga Batukaru (CAB) area, risking the landscape if not managed carefully.
• The document recommends implementing the UNESCO-approved management scheme, which prioritizes livelihood protection, ecosystem services, cultural material conservation, appropriate tourism development, and infrastructure. It also suggests establishing a more inclusive District Management Body in Tabanan and enhancing the role of the Forum Pekaseh.

APA

-1 (n.d.). -1. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-PB-2015-Bali-cultural-landscape-BahasaInd.pdf

Chicago

-1. -1. Stockholm Environment Institute, n.d. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-PB-2015-Bali-cultural-landscape-BahasaInd.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=-1 |title=-1 |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-PB-2015-Bali-cultural-landscape-BahasaInd.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{1nd, author = {-1}, title = {{-1}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-PB-2015-Bali-cultural-landscape-BahasaInd.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }