The soaring issue of the Kintamani high fly crisis has garnered attention from both locals and tourists, emerging as a major concern on Balinese social media platforms.
As per insights gathered from diverse sources, the primary culprit behind the Kintamani high fly crisis stems from the utilization of chicken manure-based fertilizers. These flies, non-carrion in nature, multiplied notably in 2023, coinciding with the surge in tourist footfall in Kintamani.
Jero Gede Tindih, a member of the Bangli Provincial Legislatures Council, highlighted the grievances expressed by numerous tourists and hotel guests. Despite various preventive measures like candle lighting implemented by restaurants, hotels, and businesses, the issue persists (7/1/2024).
Is the Kintamani’s High Fly Crisis a Natural Phenomenon?
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A recent viral video shared by @punapisingaraja portrays the startling reality of the current fly situation in Kintamani. The footage features a motorcycle engulfed by a swarm of hundreds of flies, an image that can be quite unsettling to witness.
The comments section was flooded with reactions expressing a mix of fear, discomfort, and even a bit of amusement at the alarming sight of numerous flies congregating around the motorcycle.
This high fly crisis in Kintamani seems like a natural occurrence, prompting the government to implement unique measures, like releasing natural predators of flies, such as birds, to address the situation.
I Wayan Sarma, the Head of the Bangli Agricultural Service, shed light on the Kintamani high fly crisis, describing it as a seasonal phenomenon that typically occurs from November to March, coinciding with Kintamani’s fruit season.
Livestock waste utilized as fertilizer is identified as the primary cause behind the escalating fly population across Kintamani. Despite efforts to educate on proper waste processing for fertilizer, cost remains a barrier, as the recommended approach tends to be more expensive compared to the direct use of waste.
What are the Bali Government’s Efforts to Address Kintamani’s High Fly Crisis?
In 2024, the Bangli Regency Government is taking action to tackle the Kintamani high fly crisis. Sang Nyoman Sedana Arta, the Regent of Bangli, outlined plans to collaborate with the Agriculture Service to find a new approach.
“Despite using UV and injections, the issue persists. We’re hopeful that this season will see a decline in the fly population,” remarked Sedana Arta.
To address this, the Bali government’s initial move involves large-scale procurement of organic fertilizer. A distribution of 600 tons of organic fertilizer will be provided to Kintamani farmers as a measure to alleviate the escalating fly population.
Is it Still Worth Adding Kintamani to Your Travel List?
Kintamani, situated about 60 kilometres from Bali’s city centre, has been a favoured tourist spot owing to its highland allure. Yet, the prevalent issue of Kintamani’s high fly crisis has sparked doubts about its worthiness as a destination. Is it worth it to visit? Depends.
The fly predicament in Kintamani isn’t specific to certain locales; it’s pervasive—streets, restaurants, and at times, hotels are affected. To relish a more leisurely holiday experience, planning a visit between June and September might offer more freedom from this concern.
During these months, the fly presence tends to be less compared to year-end. Exploring outdoor attractions like Lake Batur, Ulun Danu Batur Temple, Toya Devasya, and Trunyan Hill could offer a pleasant experience in Kintamani.
Now, what about dining at cafes or restaurants in the area? Does the fly issue exacerbate there? Despite this concern, various cafes and restaurants remain on the travel list in Kintamani.
Although businesses can’t fully control fly populations, they employ measures like candles, fly-repellent fans, and strict food and beverage hygiene to mitigate the issue.
What’s your take on the Kintamani high-fly crisis?
