Tabanan Regent Sanjaya's Steps to Protect and Preserve Nature

Bupati Tabanan, I Komang Gede Sanjaya, recently presented four draft regional regulations during the Third Plenary Session of the 2026 Session Period. Before members of the Tabanan Regional House of Representatives, Sanjaya outlined four draft regulations embodying the Tabanan Regency Government’s commitment to protecting and preserving nature, particularly agricultural areas. Two of the four draft regulations specifically focus on environmental protection. These are the draft regulation on the Housing and Settlement Development Plan for Tabanan Regency for 2026-2046, and the draft regulation on the Implementation of Environmental Protection and Management. Regarding the Housing and Settlement Development Plan, Sanjaya explained that its formulation is necessary to provide planned, integrated, and sustainable direction for housing and settlement development. He noted that Tabanan’s position as part of the Sarbagita area (Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan) and its location along a national road route give the region significant potential for settlement development. ‘Therefore, regulations are needed to control and direct housing development so that it remains orderly and healthy,’ Sanjaya said. The draft regulation on Environmental Protection and Management was proposed as an effort to maintain the sustainability of natural resources and biodiversity, which are the region’s development capital. Through this draft regulation, the Tabanan Regency Government seeks to ensure a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability, while aligning local policies with national regulatory developments for more effective, directed, and sustainable environmental management. ‘Tabanan, as an agricultural region, certainly has the potential for land conversion. Therefore, rules must be established so that development does not become so massive that agricultural areas are reduced,’ he stressed. Beyond these draft regulations, the Tabanan Regency Government remains committed to preserving nature, especially in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Jatiluwih in Penebel. The Jatiluwih Festival has now officially been included in the Ministry of Tourism’s Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN). This brings a responsibility to ensure the terraced rice fields are maintained and preserved. The Regent hopes that each Jatiluwih Festival will serve as a platform for promoting culture, agriculture, and sustainable tourism, involving the wider community, from MSMEs and farmers to artists and local cultural preservationists. According to him, the festival is not merely a tourism agenda but a strategic means to introduce the rich traditions, culture, distinctive cuisine, and agrarian life of Jatiluwih to a broader audience. ‘This festival is a promotional event showcasing traditions, culture, and traditional cuisine, directly involving the community, from MSMEs and cultural preservationists to the agricultural sector,’ Sanjaya said. He further emphasised that Jatiluwih is not just a tourist destination with stunning natural panoramas, but a representation of Balinese agrarian civilisation passed down through generations via the Subak system, which is based on the Tri Hita Karana philosophy. These values earned Jatiluwih global recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The festival is a tangible effort to sustain this heritage. Besides introducing nature and culture to tourists, the festival also serves as a medium to revive artistic creativity and strengthen the agricultural sector as the main pillar of Bali’s food security. ‘Through the Jatiluwih Festival, we continue to strengthen Jatiluwih’s appeal. People come not only to enjoy the natural panorama but also to witness the richness of art and culture performed by artists. Most importantly, agriculture is preserved as Bali’s food barn, while tourism provides added economic value for the community,’ he asserted. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Jatiluwih Festival in the 2026 KEN is considered a significant achievement that further strengthens Jatiluwih’s position as a world-class tourist destination. ‘The dedication and hard work of the Jatiluwih DTW management deserve appreciation. This festival is a means to introduce local wisdom, potential, and the uniqueness of Jatiluwih to the world. As more people come, the impact will be directly felt by the community, both economically and in terms of tourism,’ he concluded. Sanjaya also affirmed the Tabanan Regency Government’s commitment to continuously providing support through policies and regulations that create synergy between the community, regional government, provincial government, and central government in preserving the Jatiluwih area. In the near future, the Tabanan Regency Government plans to build an integrated parking facility to enhance tourist comfort in Jatiluwih. To support sustainable agriculture, the government is constructing seven irrigation network rehabilitation packages in 2026. These packages include rehabilitating irrigation networks, building new channels, repairing weirs, and constructing aqueducts and retaining walls in several subaks across various districts. All works are handled by the Tabanan Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency through its Water Resources and Irrigation Division, with funding sourced from the Tabanan Regency Budget. Each work package is tailored to the level of damage and field conditions, with budgets varying from Rp 200 million to Rp 400 million. These improvements aim to maintain the sustainability of the Subak irrigation system, especially as Tabanan serves as Bali’s food barn.