Chief of Guide Study at Hindu Dharma Negeri Institute (IHDN) I Ketut Sumadi said on Thursday among the environmental problems were water pollution and a decrease in the quality of natural resources and the Denpasar city`s environment. Sumadi said infrastructure and supporting public facilities were also being damaged gradually due to rapid development of the tourism sector in Bali.
He said the negative impact of tourism development could also be seen in the increasing number of forest areas being turned into s tourist spots. Apart from disturbing the ecosystem, he said, this had the potential of triggering natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
Ketut blamed the local government for allowing rapid tourism development in Bali during the last three decades which according to him had caused the province`s environment to deteriorate.
He said the development had disturbed the existence of holy places and beaches in Bali which were meant for sacred ceremonies and places to purify Balinese during Hindu holy days.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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