Bali’s Rice Fields Are Drying Up — And Tourists Are Drinking the Water

Bali’s Rice Fields Are Drying Up — And Tourists Are Drinking the Water

For centuries, Bali’s rice farmers relied on a shared water system that treated the resource as a gift. Now, that tradition is disappearing as tourism companies divert water away from agriculture, leaving fields dry and farmers fearing for their future.

· 1 min read ·
middle eastnaturewatertourismfood

I Putu Partayasa, a 52-year-old farmer known as Parta, squats at the edge of his rice terrace and pushes his fingers into the soil. They come up dry. His field has water, but his neighbor’s does not. “We have a big problem in the dry season,” he says. “Fifteen years ago, we have water every day. But today it’s getting less.”

Parta is lucky. His plot sits high enough in the irrigation system to still receive its share. But he fears he knows where the rest of the water is going. “Companies take our water,” he says, “and bring it to the tourism places.”

He gestures at the terraces below—a patchwork of green and brown that was once entirely green. “The forest is getting smaller. The springs are drying” [1].

Meanwhile, across the region, the threat of water shortages is not limited to Bali. On the neighboring island of Lombok, a new dam is being built to secure the island’s water supply. The Meninting Dam will store water from upstream rivers, releasing it during the dry months to help farmers irrigate their crops and provide clean water for local communities. Officials say the project targets ending the annual drought crisis for the region’s residents [2].

---

Sources

Bali’s Water Crisis: Is Tourism Drying Up the Rice Fields? #196206Lombok Drought Fix? Dam to Secure Water Supply #193239

Related

7 States Face Water Crisis as Colorado River Shrinks — Bangladesh Farmers Warn of ‘War Over Water’

A double water emergency is unfolding across two continents, as drought, over-extraction, and climate shocks push communities in the United States and Bangladesh to the brink.

7 States Face Water Crisis as Colorado River Shrinks — Africa Loses Billions as Water Crisis Worsens

A new global study reveals that water levels are falling in nearly one-third of the world's boreholes, with South Africa's underground water supply drying up due to unsustainable pumping for irrigation, homes, and industry [160355]. Meanwhile, African leaders warn that poor access to clean water and basic toilets is draining billions of dollars from the continent each year, worsening poverty, disease, and inequality [157054].

7 US States Face Water Crisis as Colorado River Shrinks – Millions at Risk of Severe Shortages

A rapidly shrinking Colorado River is pushing seven US states toward a water disaster, as drought, over-extraction, and climate change drain a vital water source for millions of people across the American Southwest.

Glaciers Melting Twice as Fast as 10 Years Ago — Central Asia's Water Crisis Threatens Millions

Glaciers in Central Asia are melting at an alarming rate, causing rivers to dry up and threatening the economy, while the United Nations reports that global sea levels are now rising twice as fast as they did a decade ago.

Sea Levels Rise Twice as Fast in 10 Years, UN Warns Oceans in ‘Severe’ Crisis

The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the world’s oceans are under “severe and accelerating” pressure, with the rate of sea-level rise doubling over the past decade due to human activities. Meanwhile, water shortages are draining billions from Africa’s economy each year, and groundwater supplies are drying up in nearly one-third of boreholes globally, threatening farming and drinking water.

War, Profit, and a Broken System: How Endless Conflict and a Super El Niño Are Crushing Global Stability

A fragile peace deal between the United States and Iran that could unlock the world’s most vital oil route is collapsing under the weight of the very conflicts it was meant to end, while a record-breaking climate disaster threatens global food supplies and a system that prioritizes profit over people leaves ordinary citizens bearing the costs.