Latest news with #TriHitaKarana
Time Business News
10-07-2025
- Time Business News
Bali's Broken Promise: When "Development" Means Destruction
By Ferry Fadly – Investigative journalist documenting the cost of unchecked tourism in Indonesi Bali markets itself as paradise. The reality is far darker. Denpasar Bali – Just beyond the postcard-perfect beaches of Sanur lies Serangan Island—a case study in how greed disguises itself as progress. Once a thriving ecosystem nicknamed 'Turtle Island,' it's now a construction site where coral reefs are buried under artificial sand and sacred springs become exclusive amenities for wealthy tourists. The Illusion of Sustainable Development The Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID) claims to promote eco-friendly tourism. The evidence tells a different story: Dredging operations that turned vibrant marine habitats into dead zones that turned vibrant marine habitats into dead zones Privatized purification rituals at sacred Melukat springs at sacred Melukat springs Local fishermen converted into low-wage security guards for the resorts that displaced them This isn't sustainable development. It's cultural and environmental theft—systematic erasure packaged as luxury. The Silence of the Sold When local outlet exposed these practices in their explosive report ' They Sold Paradise to Build Villas ,' it struck a nerve. The article's central question lingers: 'What remains when every natural wonder becomes someone's private property?' Opposition is often dismissed as anti-business sentiment. But the truth is simpler: Balinese aren't against tourism—they're against being erased by it. The island's Tri Hita Karana philosophy emphasizes balance between humans, nature, and spirituality. Mega-resorts with helipads and gated beaches violate this principle entirely. A Future in the Balance The consequences extend beyond environmental damage: Children grow up recognizing construction equipment better than native wildlife recognizing construction equipment better than native wildlife Traditional livelihoods vanish, replaced by service jobs catering to foreign tourists vanish, replaced by service jobs catering to foreign tourists Sacred spaces become inaccessible to locals while appearing in resort brochures Serangan isn't an isolated case—it's a warning. From Uluwatu's cliffs to Amed's fishing villages, Bali faces the same choice: short-term profits or long-term survival. The Final Question As a journalist who's documented Bali's transformation for years, I've seen this pattern repeat: Developers identify untouched land They promise jobs and economic growth The community loses more than it gains Bali doesn't need more luxury villas. It needs leaders courageous enough to say 'enough.' Because when the last beach is privatized and the final coral reef dies, what will we call this 'progress'? The answer, increasingly, looks like theft. Ferry Fadly –A field journalist born in Ujung Pandang on August 17, 1988, with a passion for storytelling through both lens and pen. A seasoned contributor to Indonesia's major TV networks, newspapers, and digital media, he documents the raw beauty of nature and the complexities of human struggles—cultural, social, and environmental. Driven by adventure and truth, he believes journalism isn't just about reporting, but about bearing witness. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Why Bali's Bat Cave Temple is unlike any other place you've visited
Goa Lawah Temple , or Bat Cave Temple , is a significant Hindu temple in Pesinggahan village, Dawan district, Klungkung Regency, Bali, Indonesia. The cave temple is believed to be home to thousands of bats. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It would, to the naked eye, look like a peaceful house of worship, but if you go inside, you'll be met with a cave filled with the soft fluttering sound of wings, a ceiling adorned by a thousand suspended bats like moving silhouettes. A sanctuary where heaven and nature collide The bats, revered rather than feared, are believed to be guardians of the temple. Locals tell tales of how the cave stretches deep into the heart of Mount Agung, Bali's most sacred volcano, and that its depths are protected by mystical forces. Some even believe that the cave connects to Pura Besakih, Bali's "Mother Temple," many kilometers away. Whether legend or reality, these stories lend an undeniable aura of enchantment to the site. Despite its eerie guardians, Goa Lawah is serene. Balinese Hindus throng here to witness major ceremonies, such as the temple anniversary (odalan) and other sacred days of the Balinese calendar. Both humans and bats coexist harmoniously—neither intrudes on the other. It is symbiotic living, one that is in line with the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana , which teaches harmony between human beings, nature, and the gods. The temple complex, against a rolling backdrop of oscillating coconut palm groves and the Bali Sea's turquoise waters, is a poetic setting. Cobblestone shrines, god idol statuettes draped with black and white checkered cloth, and flower and rice baskets decorate the courtyards. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Even the air carries piety and unexpressed knowledge that nature and sacredness are never separated here. Seeing Goa Lawah is more than mere sightseeing—it's a reminder of the powers beyond human comprehension that control the world and of the Balinese people's profound respect for all life, even that which lives in darkness. Goa Lawah isn't just a temple—it's a powerful reminder of Bali's unique ability to weave spirituality, myth, and nature into a living, breathing cultural tapestry. This location is essential to experiencing India's rich temple heritage. How to reach? To get to Goa Lawah Temple, drive approximately 1.5 hours east from Denpasar or 30 minutes from Ubud. The temple can be easily reached via personal taxi, scooter, or tour services from all major towns of Bali along the main road leading to Candidasa.
