Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

A plan to expand Benoa Harbor, 15 kilometers southeast of Denpasar, has been criticized by environmental experts as it could cause severe environmental damage to the surrounding mangrove forests, as well as the city of Denpasar.

Dr. Dietriech G. Bengen from the Center for Coastal and Marine Resource Studies of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) suggested state-owned Pelindo III, who manage the harbor, as well as the Bali provincial government, reconsider the plan.

"Various factors including the reclamation of Serangan island, the change of land use and the destruction of mangrove areas have made Benoa's waters shallow," said Bengen, an expert on marine and coastal management, in an interview with The Jakarta Post recently.

Currently, Benoa Harbor occupies around 59 hectares. Based on its master plan, the harbor is to be expanded in several stages to reach 261 hectares by 2025.

The harbor currently accommodates inter-insular cargo ships, fishing fleets, oil tankers from state-owned oil company Pertamina, holiday cruises and traditional fishing boats.

PT Pelindo III has proposed to the central, provincial administration for the expansion of the harbor because it can no longer provide the best service to its users because of lack of facilities and its shallow waters. The proposal has, so far, not been responded to by the government pending further studies from related experts.

"Coastal areas and mangrove forests near the harbor are in a a poor state, causing sea erosion, shallowing of the harbor's waters and destroying the local marine ecosystem," he explained.

If these processes continue Denpasar, Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur are likely to flooded.

"Who will come to Bali if the island is flooded?" he warned.

The existence of mangrove forest near the harbor, he said, functions as a buffer zone between the sea and the land. It also prevents waves from eroding the land. Moreover, mangrove forests are a perfect place for fish and other marine creatures.

"The mangrove forest has been sacrificed by investors for the development of shophouses," he said.

Ketut Muliarta, head of the environmental office for Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara, agreed that the present harbor is beyond its carrying capacity.

"It is like an old man who can hardly take a breath. There are too many interests there; tourism, fishing, business and transportation," Ketut said.

Ketut suggested that PT Pelindo III and the provincial government find an alternative place to move the busy Benoa harbor to other places in Bali.

"Benoa harbor could be maintained for tourist and marine activities, which are also monitored to prevent further environmental damage," said Ketut.

Inter-insular sea transportation and cargo ships could be moved to Celukan Bawang harbor in North Bali, for instance. "It requires a strong political will from the central and provincial government to realize the plan, especially in this era of regional autonomy."