Tourism shapes Bali’s ecosystems, and it’s not in a good way

Bali is known worldwide as a tropical paradise, with beautiful beaches, temples and rice terraces, and this brings in many tourists.

Tourism is vital for Bali, as it drives the vast majority of the island’s economy, creates hundreds of thousands of jobs, and heavily shapes local infrastructure. It accounts for roughly 60% to 80% of Bali’s total economic income and welcomes over 6 million international visitors each year.

But behind all that beauty lies a quieter truth: tourism is shaping the island’s ecosystems faster than most people realize, and not in a good way.

Forests are shrinking, wildlife is changing its behavior, and ecological processes are being disrupted.

Tourism is not only an economic force, but also an ecological one.

How tourism changes Bali’s ecosystems

Tourism-driven development is one of the strongest pressures on Bali’s natural landscapes. Resorts, villas, restaurant and new roads require land, and much of that land used to be forest.

Research on Bali’s environmental sustainability shows that tourism growth increases resource use and ecological pressure, especially in districts with fragile ecosystems.

When continuous forest is divided into small patches, wildlife populations become isolated. Seed dispersers like civet cats and langurs can no longer move freely, reducing natural regeneration. Pollinators such as flying foxes avoid brightly lit tourist zones, leaving certain tree species without nighttime pollination.

Over the past decade, studies on overtourism have revealed acute environmental degradation, including habitat loss, water stress and biodiversity decline in high-intensity tourism areas.

These impacts are not limited to land. Coral reef research in Sanur, one of Bali’s most tourism-heavy coasts, shows clear ecological shifts linked to urbanization and tourism pressure, demonstrating how ecosystems change under sustained human impact.

The Bali starling, the signature bird and faunal emblem of Bali, nearly vanished from the wild due to habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. Its decline disrupts insect control and seed dispersal, weakening forests.

Tourism indirectly fuels the illegal wildlife trade. Birds, reptiles and small mammals are captured and sold as pets or tourist attractions. Wildlife commodification is a major ecological consequence of tourism-driven pressure, especially when governance is weak or fragmented.

On top of all that, tourism brings noise, traffic and artificial light, all of which alter wildlife behavior.

Light pollution disrupts nocturnal predators and insects, while noise interferes with bird communication and predator-prey interactions.

Water use is another major issue. Tourism-heavy districts show reduced environmental sustainability due to increased water consumption, energy use and waste production.

During dry seasons this reduced water availability for forests, affecting seedling survival and nutrient cycling.

Tourism as part of the solution

But not everything is bad. Tourism can also support conservation when managed responsibly.

Regenerative tourism is gaining traction in Bali. Collaborative governance models significantly improve sustainability outcomes and reduce overtourism impacts.

Examples of positive practices include eco-lodges that protect surrounding forest, wildlife-friendly tours, community-based forest monitoring, visitor education programs, and water and energy efficiency measures.

In some areas tourism income helps fund biodiversity surveys, habitat restoration and environmental education for local youth.

What can you do to reduce your ecological footprint?

Tourism is part of the problem, but individual choices can make it less harmful and even supportive of conservation.

It’s important to choose an accommodation carefully.

Eco-lodges and guesthouses that protect surrounding forest limit water use, treat wastewater properly and avoid unnecessary lighting at night. These places have certifications or transparent sustainability policies rather than vague “eco” labels.

There are unfortunately a lot of tourist attractions that exploit wildlife.

Avoid attractions that keep wild animals in cages, offer animal selfies, bird shows or “exotic pets” experiences.

Never buy birds, reptiles or other wildlife, even if they seem common. This directly fuels illegal trade and biodiversity loss.

It’s also important to respect habitats, especially at night.

Stay on marked paths and avoid entering forest fragments without local guidance. Keep noise and light to a minimum after dark to reduce disturbance for nocturnal species that are crucial for pollination and seed dispersal.

Some local communities offer tours that focus on nature, culture and education rather than pure entertainment.

Joining these tours supports these local communities and ensures there are funds for ecosystem and biodiversity research and restoration. Especially projects that monitor forests, birds, bats or local reefs are important, and often a lot of fun to join as well!

It’s also good to be mindful of resource use. Take shorter showers, avoid daily towel changes, turn off airconditioning and lights when not needed, and choose refillable water bottles over single-use plastic.

Make sure to avoid leaving any waste in natural areas. Coastal and forest ecosystems are highly sensitive to litter and microplastics.

These actions don’t “solve” overtourism, but they do reduce individual impact and support the people and projects working to protect Bali’s ecosystems.

More people being mindful, means less damage to the ecosystems.

Conclusion

Tourism is woven into Bali’s identity, but so is its biodiversity.

The challenge is ensuring one does not destroy the other.

Ecosystems are fragile, but they are also resilient when given space to recover.

Tourism can be part of a problem, but it can also be part of the solution.

Protecting Bali’s ecosystems means protecting the island’s future.

References

Purba, I.B.A.H., Nyoman, A.N., Suasih, N.N.R., Setyari, N.P.W. (2025). Sustaining paradise: How tourism-driven growth affects environmental sustainability and community welfare in Bali. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(8):1547-1557. https://doi.org/10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9653

Utuma, I.G.B.R., Suardhana, I.N., Sutarya, I.G., Krismawintari, N.P.D. (2024). Assessing the Impacts of Overtourism in Bali: Environmental, Socio-Cultural and Economic Perspectives on Sustainable Tourism. TourismSpectrum: Diversity & Dynamics, 1(2):81-92. https://doi.org/10.56578/tsdd010202

Mananda, I.G.P.B.S., Negara, I.M.K., Kristianto, Y., Angligan, I.G.K.H., Deuchar, C. (2025). From Overtourism to Regeneration: A Penta-Helix Governance Model for Sustainable Tourism in Bali. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(5), 240. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6050240

Pramono, R., Juliana, J., Hulu, M., Djakasaputra, A., Jie, F. (2026). Overtourism in Bali and Lombok: A Governance and Community Perspective on Challenges and Strategies for Sustainable Development. Societies, 16(2), 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc16020065

Chung, M., Banzragch, B., Gasparator, A. (2026). Understanding Coral Reef Change in Urbanized and Tourism-Intensive Seascapes: Insights from Sanur, Bali. Elsevier, 279, 108252. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6335974