Bali tourism destination or mining site? Nusa Penida’s development future at a crossroads

Nusa Penida. Photo: Rowena Piers via Instagram
Nusa Penida. Photo: Rowena Piers via Instagram

Nusa Penida, a small island southeast of Bali, has been growing in popularity as a tourism destination and is quickly becoming one of the province’s most Instagrammed spots.

With a breathtaking rugged coast, sweet snorkeling spots, stunning features like the natural infinity pool Angel’s Billabong, and very limited infrastructure, Penida is favorited for its relatively untouched nature.

But while the island is currently a strategic national tourism area (KSPN) that the government hopes to develop into a major draw for tourists, plans are on the table to exploit the island for its limestone mining potential.

The regent presiding over Bali’s Klungkung area, which is Nusa Penida is administratively a part of, says he hopes no mining plans would affect the island’s tourism industry.

“The proposed mining areas in Nusa Penida must certainly not interfere with KSPN,” Klungkung regent, I Nyoman Suwirta, told Tribun Bali on Wednesday.

A study is underway to determine whether mining on Nusa Penida would cause environmental harm to the island’s ecosystem, says head of the Bali Provincial Department of Labor, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Ketut Wija.

“If (Nusa Penida) is designated as a mining area, it would only be certain zones, not the whole island,” Wija said.

Meanwhile, a Nusa Penida local resident, I Komang Dikat, gave his two cents, saying he would much prefer to see the government put their focus on developing the island into a tourism destination, not a mining site.

The government’s priorities for Nusa Penida should be agriculture, tourism, and fishing—not mining—says Dikat.

Another Penida local, Wayan Warta made similar comments, expressing his concern on the negative impact mining would have on Penida’s natural features—the island is known for those striking limestone cliffs, after all.

“There are pros and cons. If it were to become a mining area, I fear that the activity would be damaging to the environment. Do not let Nusa Penida, which is famous for its beautiful hills, just become eroded from mining activity,” Warta said.

“Although there would be brief economic benefits for the people, look at the long term impacts. Better if the government continues to focus on developing tourism potential.”

Warta added that there is already limestone mining happening on the island, but on a very small scale.



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