RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Pressure on Bali’s coastal environment has once again come under scrutiny, with calls to temporarily halt land reclamation activities on Serangan Island to prevent broader impacts.

A lawmaker from the House of Representatives’ Commission IV, Rajiv, urged the central government and local administrations to immediately evaluate the decades‑long reclamation project. He said the step is crucial to ensure development remains aligned with sustainability principles and the protection of local communities.

“I am calling for a temporary stop to all development activities, land reclamation, land compaction, vegetation clearing, and heavy equipment use in the Serangan Island area,” Rajiv said in Jakarta on Monday, April 27, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that the suspension should remain in effect until all permitting documents, land status, environmental assessments, and spatial planning compliance have been transparently reviewed. According to him, the measure is a precautionary step, not a rejection of investment.

Rajiv noted that massive reclamation has drastically altered Serangan Island’s landscape. Data shows the area expanded from 169.64 hectares in 1985 to 600.96 hectares in 2024. “Over nearly four decades, Serangan Island has grown by 431.32 hectares, an average of 10 hectares each year,” he explained.

He stressed that the main issue is not merely the expansion of land but the loss of ecological functions that previously supported local livelihoods. “The reclamation has led to the disappearance of coastal ecosystem services that sustained communities,” he said.

A study by Gadjah Mada University documented impacts including coastal erosion, ecosystem damage, and social conflicts arising from livelihood losses. The findings also highlighted disturbances to coral reefs and sea turtle habitats.

Residents’ complaints about alleged mangrove clearing and land compaction in Lebangan Bay underscore the urgency of an evaluation. Rajiv emphasized that the designation of Serangan as a special economic zone must not overlook environmental and social aspects.

“Local administrations, the Bali Provincial Legislative Council, the National Land Agency (BPN), law enforcement officials, and environmental agencies need to evaluate reclamation activities on Serangan Island,” said Rajiv. ***