Bali’s 1,000-year-old rice fields once worked as a giant water system. Now 6,500 hectares have vanished and locals are buying water

Bali’s historic subak irrigation system is under pressure from tourism expansion. Thousands of hectares of rice fields have disappeared, impacting water availability. Increased demand from tourism facilities strains groundwater resources significantly. This loss threatens the subak system and ecological balance on the island. Preserving these terraces is crucial for water security and cultural heritage.