A popular destination for several years, Bali attracts visitors from around the world. In this context, it's easy to think that tourism would foster the island's development. It's true that it has advantages, but it also has many drawbacks. In order to reduce the negative impact of mass tourism, some local communities have taken on the challenge of transforming their villages into ecotourism destinations. Here's what you need to know.

Ecotourism as a solution against mass tourism

It's no secret that mass tourism comes with consequences for the environment. Indeed, Bali's ecosystem is suffering from overuse. Between the construction of hotels, swimming pools, beach resorts, golf courses and tourist shops, Bali is becoming fragile, and its biodiversity along with it.

This is especially true because Bali is an island. With limited surface area, fresh water is a scarce resource. When you consider that it takes the same amount of water to supply 500 hotel rooms as it does to irrigate 33 hectares of rice paddies (source JED), you quickly grasp the scale of the damage. And that's not even counting the harm caused by poor waste disposal. Everyone remembers the shocking images of a snorkeler off the coast of Bali, surrounded by an ocean of plastic.

Another consequence of mass tourism: the unequal distribution of wealth. Indeed, most of the financial benefits from Bali's tourism go to wealthy companies located outside the island and provide little benefit to the Balinese people. Furthermore, mass tourism also undermines Balinese culture and its many rituals and customs. This is a sad reality that some local communities wish to counter by offering a more sustainable form of tourism, one that invites travelers to discover Balinese culture directly from the villages. After all, what better way to truly immerse yourself than by staying with a local family?

A network of eco-villages to discover Bali responsibly

These eco-villages, with the administrative support of the Wisnu Foundation (a major environmental NGO in Bali), have launched an ecotourism network: JED, Jaringan Ekowisata Desa. Founded in 2002, this network offers several unique experiences.

For example, you can stay in one of four Balinese villages in the program:

• Kiadan Pelaga Village
• Tenganan Village
• Dukuh Sibetan Village
• Nyambu Village

Each has its own specialties and activities. On the agenda: discovering village life (temples, rice fields, coffee plantations), tasting traditional dishes, sharing and exchanging with locals about Balinese culture, learning local crafts (weaving, preparing offerings, wood carving) and spending the night with a local family in the village.

Beyond exploring the villages, JED also invites visitors to visit Perancak, at the Kurma Asih Sea Turtle Conservation Center, for a day. This community-managed conservation program is fighting hard against poaching and the over-hunting of turtles and turtle eggs. It's an opportunity to see these wonderful creatures without causing them harm.

So, which experience would you like to discover Balinese culture through?

Florine Dergelet