DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – The Bali Provincial Government is preparing to launch a simultaneous island-wide cleanup movement targeting marine and river waste starting March 1, 2026.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the initiative is part of the province’s strategic “Bali Clean from Waste Movement,” which will focus on rivers, seas, and beaches across the island.
“This aligns with the Bali Provincial Government’s strategic program through the Bali Clean from Waste Movement in rivers, seas, and beaches throughout Bali, which will be launched simultaneously on March 1, 2026,” Koster said on Friday (Feb 20, 2026).
The announcement was made during a closed coordination meeting involving regional leadership and regency and city governments. According to Koster, the program follows directives delivered by President Prabowo during a recent national coordination meeting.
The movement will involve local governments, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), traditional villages (desa adat), environmental communities, and the wider public.
Koster described the initiative as one of the largest coordinated mobilizations since 2023.
“This program aims to protect marine ecosystems, preserve the beauty of beaches, and maintain Bali’s image in the eyes of domestic and international tourists,” he said.
The governor noted that Bali receives special attention from the central government due to its status as a major global tourism destination. As a result, issues that could affect the island’s tourism image, particularly waste management, must be addressed in a coordinated manner.
“In line with the President’s directive, Bali receives special attention as a world tourism destination. One of the key concerns is waste, especially beach waste that can damage Bali’s tourism image,” he added.
Provincial officials highlighted recurring seasonal waste accumulation at several beaches, including Kuta Beach in Badung Regency, where higher volumes of marine debris typically occur between December and January.
While routine daily cleanups are already carried out at a number of coastal areas, the March 1 movement is intended as a broader and sustained effort. The program will not only focus on beaches but also extend to land-based waste sources, rivers, and lakes.
“We are not only handling waste on beaches, but also waste on land, rivers, and lakes. This must become a collective movement involving the military, police, local governments, and all components of society,” Koster stated.
The coordination meeting also addressed other strategic issues, including the removal of illegal banners and billboards, management of overhead electrical and telecommunications cables, traffic congestion control, public security, and restrictions on the conversion of productive agricultural land.
Koster emphasized that all regional heads in Bali must take firm and measurable steps to safeguard environmental quality, urban aesthetics, and sustainable development.
He noted that despite Bali’s economic growth reaching 5.82 percent, with relatively low poverty and unemployment rates, development success must be accompanied by stronger environmental governance and cultural preservation to ensure the island remains a sustainable global tourism destination.