Controversial Uluwatu Sea Wall Project Officially Completed in Bali

Bali, Indonesia – April 22, 2025 – The much-debated Uluwatu Sea Wall Project, a significant development in one of Bali’s premier tourism hotspots, has reached completion, according to local officials. The initiative aimed to address structural concerns, particularly the cracks in the cliff face beneath the revered Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple.

Anak Agung Rama Putra, the Head of Water Resources at the Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Department of Badung Regency, confirmed that the project is now 100% finished. Key components of the project include the construction of an access road, the installation of coastal protection structures known as revetments, securing cracks in the cliff directly under the temple, and renovations to the nearby Pura Beji.

Local Concerns and Criticism

The Uluwatu Sea Wall Project was met with considerable backlash from residents and environmentalists concerned about the ramifications of the development for the local ecosystem. Community members voiced apprehensions that the project had proceeded without a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, which is locally referred to as AMDAL. Environmentalists highlighted potential disruptions to wildlife, particularly in relation to the native macaque monkeys that inhabit the area.

Following reports of construction practices, including footage depicting heavy machinery dumping debris into the ocean, local stakeholders raised alarm bells leading to interventions from the Attorney General’s Office. Critics argue that such actions ran counter to sustainable development practices, exacerbating environmental degradation in one of Bali’s most pristine areas.

Future Developments and Environmental Considerations

In light of the project’s completion, Putra announced plans for future enhancements. Additional revetments are set to be constructed towards Batu Metandal Temple to continue reinforcing the coastal area. Putra assured that new trees would be planted to revitalize the environment, aiming to provide the necessary habitat for the region’s long-tailed macaque monkeys, whose living conditions were compromised during construction.

This additional work is scheduled to extend into 2026, dependent on budget allocations from both the regency and provincial governments of Bali. The head of the PUPR department emphasized the project’s scale and the need for careful planning to accommodate unexpected circumstances.

"The seawall progress because of that from the design and build provider is already 100 percent," Putra noted. He elaborated that future work will ensure the safe securing of the coastline while addressing the community’s recommendations.

Community and Cultural Impact

The Uluwatu area has seen rapid changes, evolving from a surfer’s haven into a thriving tourist destination filled with high-end hotels, resorts, and beach clubs. Despite its transformation, Uluwatu maintains cultural significance, particularly regarding the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. This sacred site is one of six key sea temples on the island that play a vital role in Balinese Hindu culture, acting as spiritual guardians against evil forces believed to emerge from the sea.

Looking ahead, Putra confirmed that formal blessing ceremonies for the new developments would take place only after the completion of the second and final phase of work on the Uluwatu Sea Wall Project. "The ceremony will not be this year because it must be completely finished so that it does not happen twice. We want everything to be completely finished first," he said.

As Bali continues to navigate the balance between development and environmental preservation, the Uluwatu Sea Wall Project stands as a poignant example of the challenges that arise when local concerns meet ambitious growth aspirations. The local community remains watchful as further developments unfold in this uniquely vibrant and culturally rich region.