Tanjung Benoa, todaysSpill.com
Pulau Pudut, a small island off the coast of Tanjung Benoa, is facing a serious threat, relentless coastal erosion that is eating away its shoreline. Locals say the island, once much wider, is shrinking year after year and they fear it may one day vanish entirely.
“When I was a child, the island was much larger. Now, every year it feels like it’s getting smaller,” said a fisherman, pointing toward the fading silhouette of the island.
In response, the Badung Regency Government, through the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR) – Water Resources Division, has begun drafting a Detail Engineering Design (DED) for the Benoa Bay Conservation Project.
A coordination meeting with customary village leaders from Bualu, Tanjung Benoa, and Terora was held on Tuesday (12/8/2025) at the Benoa Village Hall to discuss plans for dredging the sea channel, removing sediment buildup, and restoring Pulau Pudut’s coastline.
“Initial studies show significant erosion. The plan is to reuse dredged sediment to rebuild Pulau Pudut,” explained Sastrawan Wiguna, representative of the Water Resources Division at Badung PUPR.
However, the project requires spatial planning adjustments and strong community involvement. Tanjung Benoa customary leader I Made Wijaya (Yonda) stressed that Pulau Pudut must not be left to disappear.
“If restored, the island could bring real benefits to the coastal community. With our mangrove forest nearby, it could become part of an integrated conservation zone,” he said.
Yonda envisions Pulau Pudut as a conservation-based tourism destination, managed under the Tri Hita Karana philosophy — harmony between humans, nature, and the Creator. “Manage it together with the customary village, so it remains protected and beneficial,” he asserted.
This plan is more than just a battle against the sea — it’s about preserving identity and unlocking sustainable economic potential. If successful, Pulau Pudut could once again become a pristine, white-sand haven where nature, culture, and tourism thrive in harmony for generations to come. TS-01
