Indigenous Environmental Governance and Socio-Ecological Resilience: Examining the Subak System as a Model for Sustainable Rural Development in Bali

Abstract

Environmental degradation, increasing pressure on water resources, and rapid land-use change pose serious challenges to sustainable rural development globally. In Bali, Indonesia, these challenges threaten the Subak system, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage cultural landscape and traditional irrigation institution that has historically maintained ecological balance. This study examines the Subak as a model of socio-ecological resilience, focusing on its role in environmental governance amid modern pressures. Adopting a qualitative case study approach in the Pakerisan watershed, research data were gathered through field observations and semi-structured interviews with Pekaseh (Subak heads) and local farmers. The analysis is framed within Elinor Ostrom’s Common-Pool Resource (CPR) theory and the indigenous philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. The findings demonstrate that Subak contributes to sustainability through "ritualized synchronization," equitable water distribution (Tektek), and coordinated planting cycles that mitigate pest risks and water scarcity. However, the study identifies a critical emergence of 'asymmetric landscape consumption' driven by tourism expansion and infrastructure fragmentation, alongside declining youth participation. The results highlight the urgency of integrating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into formal rural policies. By providing empirical evidence of indigenous governance, this research offers strategic insights for harmonizing heritage preservation with contemporary environmental protection and rural development policies.