Bali Governor Demolishes Illegal Villas in Buleleng Forest Area

Denpasar (ANTARA) - Bali Governor Wayan Koster personally led the demolition process of illegal villa buildings situated within the Pejarakan Village Social Forestry area, Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency.

In an official statement in Denpasar on Saturday, Koster explained that the demolition of the accommodation facilities in Banjar Dinas Goris Kemiri was carried out after it was discovered that the construction did not meet the necessary requirements for utilising forest areas for nature tourism activities.

“Therefore, the demolition is being conducted today in accordance with regional regulations regarding the control of land-use conversion. I must emphasise: do not trifle with the regulations in force in Bali,” stated Governor Koster.

The Pejarakan Village forest area covers approximately 700 hectares and supports 3,262 families, managed by the Wana Makmur Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) under Decree SK.3583/MENLKH-PSKL/PKPS/PSL.0/6/2020, dated 5 June 2020.

Koster noted that based on an assessment of social forestry management documents, the construction of the villas—initially identified by the Special Committee on Spatial Planning, Assets, and Licensing (Pansus TRAP) of the Bali Regional House of Representatives—was proven not to be included in the Social Forestry Management Plan (RKPS).