BULELENG, Bali — The Bali provincial government demolished a villa built inside a forest area in Pejarakan Village, Gerokgak, Buleleng, on Saturday (September 12), citing a lack of required permits and violations of regulations governing the use of forest land.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the building, owned by Ketut Danu, stood within a limited production forest (Hutan Produksi Terbatas/HPT) area under the Pejarakan Village Forest Management Rights (HPHD).
The building did not have a Spatial Utilisation Activity Conformity (KKPR) document or the required forestry business permits, Koster said.
“This building is located in the Pejarakan Village forest area. It does not have complete permits,” Koster said at the demolition site on Saturday.
According to Koster, the owner had been given three warnings but failed to follow up by obtaining the required permits or complying with regulations governing the building.
“Three warnings had already been given, but the requirements for the existing building were not fulfilled. Therefore, in accordance with the regulations, the building was demolished,” he said.
Before the demolition, officials read out a Bali Governor’s Order instructing them to take enforcement action and demolish the structure.
Koster said the demolition was part of the provincial government’s efforts to enforce regulations governing the use of forest areas and prevent unauthorised changes in land use.
Permanent structures, particularly those built with concrete, are not permitted in the area because they are inconsistent with the designated function of the forest, he said.
“Because the requirements were not fulfilled, the demolition had to be carried out,” Koster said.
Government Reviewing Possible Investor Involvement
Koster also said the government had found indications that another party may have provided funding for the construction of the villa.
“There is also an indication that another party provided the funding using our name,” he said.
The governor said the government would review the circumstances before deciding whether sanctions should be imposed on the owner or any investor involved.
“That will be reviewed first,” Koster said.
Following the demolition, the site will be restored to its designated forest function.
The Bali Forestry and Environment Agency, through its North Bali Forestry Technical Implementation Unit (UPT), has been tasked with restoring the area, including by planting trees.
Koster also instructed authorities to secure and monitor the site during the restoration process to prevent further unauthorised activity.
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