On Indonesia's beach-fringed resort island of Bali, fed-up locals want to slow the mass tourism that is their biggest money earner - hoping a plan to freeze hotel-building can restore some calm.
Anxious about runaway tourism, many Balinese yearn for a more tranquil yesteryear, much like residents in European hot spots Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca or Venice.
In response, the Indonesian authorities recently announced plans - yet to be confirmed by the new government - for a two-year moratorium on building hotels, villas and nightclubs.
Before foreign surfers discovered its waves decades ago, Canggu was a quiet, southern Balinese beach-side village perched on the Indian Ocean and dotted with rice padi fields.
Now, it bristles with hotels and lodgings, its streets clogged with cars, scooters and trucks.
Locals like 23-year-old Kadek Candrawati fear the environment is taking second place.
"Canggu is now busier... its tranquillity and greenery are gradually disappearing," said Ms Kadek, who owns a motorcycle rental service that earns her seven million rupiah (S$593) monthly.
"The government and the community need to work together to ensure that Bali stays green and sustainable, and the local culture is preserved," she told AFP.
Esta historia es de la edición November 11, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 11, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
BACKFLIPPING THEIR WAY TO EQUALITY
The women were competing, finally, at Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, Utah, considered the biggest and gnarliest mountain bike competition in the world.
Biden meets Trump at White House for transition talks
President Joe Biden hosted President-elect Donald Trump at the White House on Nov 13 in a meeting designed to demonstrate a smooth transition between administrations, even though Trump's team has yet to sign documents to start the handover process.
Song Jae-rim made debut with K-drama The Moon Embracing The Sun
South Korean actor Song Jae-rim, who acted in blockbuster television dramas, including The Moon Embracing The Sun (2012), died on Nov 12 at the age of 39.
UK writer Samantha Harvey wins with space novel Orbital
British writer Samantha Harvey (right) won the prestigious Booker Prize on Nov 12 for her short novel following six astronauts as they contemplate Earth from the International Space Station.
Singer Penny Tai has vertigo, but still game to put on concert
Malaysian singer Penny Tai has said a health issue prevents her from doing big movements.
S'porean actor Chin Han joins cast of Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender
Netflix has expanded the cast of live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender in its second season, with Singapore actor Chin Han one of the latest eight additions.
Tenor Christoph Pregardien's Schubert recital simply spellbinding
CONCERT CHRISTOPH PREGARDIEN SINGS SCHUBERT'S DIE SCHONE MULLERIN
Puppet masters keep niche art form alive
The Finger Players, Paper Monkey Theatre and puppeteer Bright Ong are taking puppets to a wider audience
All We Imagine As Light tells a humane tale, Red One delivers overstuffed turkey
Two Malayali nurses in Mumbai negotiate their daily working-class grind. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans team up on a search-and-recovery operation when Santa Claus is abducted, mere days before Christmas Eve.
Crime comedy takes a stab at wellness culture
MURDER MINDFULLY Netflix ★★★★☆