TABANAN, DEWATA.NEWS – Tensions surrounding Jatiluwih Rice Terraces began to ease on Monday, January 5, after protest barriers installed across parts of the UNESCO World Heritage site were removed, signaling progress toward reconciliation between local farmers, tourism operators, and the regional government.
The removal of the metal sheets, which had been placed as part of a protest action, was carried out on the direct initiative of I Komang Gede Sanjaya, Regent of Tabanan. The move followed renewed dialogue with Jatiluwih farmers and tourism business operators, whose activities had been affected by the dispute.
The barriers were taken down after Sanjaya met with local farmers and 13 tourism accommodation operators whose businesses had previously been sealed by the Bali Regional House of Representatives’ Special Committee on Spatial Planning (Pansus TRAP). The committee had cited alleged violations within protected rice field zones.
Sanjaya said the decision reflects the local government’s commitment to finding a balanced solution that goes beyond legal considerations alone.
“I have repeatedly emphasized in coordination meetings that when issues arise, we must submit formal requests to the Special Committee, with copies to the Governor of Bali. Solutions should not focus solely on legal aspects, but also consider cultural, social, and economic dimensions that affect the community,” Sanjaya said.
He confirmed that discussions with the head of the Pansus TRAP have opened the possibility of a moratorium policy, which is currently being formulated. The proposed moratorium is expected to help protect the local economy, which has suffered significantly during the dispute.
According to the regent, tourist visits to Jatiluwih dropped by as much as 80 percent, severely affecting farmers, tourism workers, and residents who depend on visitor activity.
“If visits fall by 80 percent, the government loses, the community loses. Even people not directly involved in the dispute are impacted through job losses and reduced income,” he said.
Sanjaya stressed that future land use in Jatiluwih must avoid damaging its core attraction, the rice fields themselves. He warned against unchecked construction within active farming areas, noting that supporting facilities should be located in buffer zones rather than within the terraces.
“If everyone builds in the rice fields, what will visitors come to see? The rice fields are the main attraction. Eating and drinking facilities are reasonable in buffer areas, but not in the middle of the fields,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jatiluwih Tourism Attraction manager Ketut Purna welcomed the removal of the barriers and said the management would immediately inform tourism stakeholders, including travel associations and local tourism groups.
“We will communicate that the barriers have been removed on the initiative of Regent Sanjaya and his team. Our hope is that there will be no further disputes, as the impact on visitor numbers has been severe,” he said.
Purna added that the management will continue to mediate communication between farmers, site authorities, and tourism operators to restore normal operations. He acknowledged that rebuilding Jatiluwih’s tourism image will take time, with revised tour packages expected to be launched around April.
“Restoring confidence is not instant. What matters now is maintaining stability so trust among visitors can gradually return,” he said.
One of the farmers, I Nengah Darmika Yasa, also known as Pak Yogi, said the decision to remove the barriers was based on the government’s commitment to exploring a moratorium and addressing farmers’ concerns.
“We agreed to remove the barriers because there is a plan for a moratorium. We hope all farmers’ concerns can be accommodated, because farming alone provides very limited income,” he said.
Local authorities said further discussions will continue as part of efforts to ensure Jatiluwih remains protected as a cultural landscape while supporting the livelihoods of its community.