Tahura Land Dispute Puts Spotlight Back on BPN
The Bali provincial government is holding its ground in the ongoing Tahura land dispute—but not with bulldozers, at least not yet. Officials say they will wait for the National Land Agency (BPN) to formally revoke 11 questionable land certificates before tearing down any structures inside the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park (Tahura).
Made Rentin, head of Bali's Environmental Service, explained that the province has already won multiple lawsuits proving the land falls within Tahura's protected borders. “Court rulings from 2014, 2015, and 2016 confirmed that these plots are inside the conservation zone. That means the certificates should be canceled,” Rentin said.
11 Certificates, One Big Problem
The certificates in question are not minor paperwork errors. They cover land where schools and private buildings stand—on paper, private property. In reality, the area is legally part of Tahura, a conservation zone that doubles as Bali's urban lungs, biodiversity buffer, and ecological safeguard.
“The evidence is clear. For example, SMA 2's boundary line is well within Tahura,” Rentin noted. “This is not just suspicion—it's been proven.”
Why the Hold-Up?
The provincial government insists it won't rush demolition without BPN's official cancellation of the certificates. “If BPN revokes them, then demolition follows. Until then, we can't act,” Rentin said, making it clear that the province doesn't want legal backlash for moving too soon.
This wait-and-see approach is also tied to the messy history of land management in Indonesia. BPN, the very agency tasked with land certification, has been plagued by corruption scandals. In fact, several BPN officials across the country have been jailed for issuing certificates on protected land—including forest zones like Tahura. That history casts a long shadow over today's dispute.
Conservation Versus Construction
The Tahura land dispute is hardly new. For more than a decade, Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park—stretching between Denpasar and Badung—has faced encroachment from urban expansion. What was once a clear conservation zone is now overlapped by housing, schools, and even commercial buildings.
Tahura isn't just another patch of green. Established under Forestry Ministry Decree No. 544/Menhut-II/2005, it plays a crucial role in flood control, air quality, and biodiversity. It is supposed to be Bali's safety net against overdevelopment.
Drawing the Line—Literally
The government now plans to reset Tahura's boundaries with greater transparency. This involves close coordination with BPN, forestry officials, and legal authorities. The goal: eliminate overlapping claims and prevent future disputes.
“This is not only about land certificates,” Rentin said. “It's about Bali's commitment to protecting the environment and restoring the park to its true purpose.”
The Bigger Picture
For expats and tourists who enjoy Bali's lush landscapes, the Tahura land dispute might feel like bureaucratic drama. But the stakes are high: once conservation land is lost, it rarely comes back.
So, while Bali's government waits on BPN, the clock is ticking for Tahura. And if history has shown us anything, it's that Bali's forests can't afford too many more “paper mistakes.”
By Agung Fabio, Journalist Bali Today
