Ecotourism Saves Karst Resources

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

An aerial view of the karst mountain range around the village of Berua, Rammang-Rammang, Maros, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday (19/6/2019). The karst landscape is included in the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park area. In addition to rich biodiversity, the karst area here also holds traces of prehistoric life.

If people had never opposed the government’s plan to license mining projects in the karst hill zone of Rammang Rammang, we might not have been able to enjoy the beauty of karst and its life-giving water resources today. The fruit of opposition in Salenrang village, Maros regency, South Sulawesi, can be enjoyed by all residents now managing and safeguarding the zone.

Daeng Beta, 64, and his wife Maryana, 64, received a small group of guests at their their stilted house in Berua village in early June. Not long after sitting on the terrace of the house, they were served coffee, rice, vegetable soup, fried fish, omelet and chili sauce.

For guests who have made a reservation, the kinds of food are more varied. In the morning, for instance, coffee and breakfast are again served.

For room facilities, food and all the village hospitality and atmosphere, the cost is only Rp 150,000 per person.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

A butterfly of the vindula erota species searches for food at Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park (Babul National Park), Maros, South Sulawesi, Thursday (20/6/2019). In the national park, dubbed \'The Kingdom of Butterfly\', no less than 247 species of butterflies have been identified. British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace carried out exploration in this area from August to November 1857.

Daeng Beta is only one of the hundreds of locals delighting in the reward of their struggle against mining companies. Associated in a Rammang Rammang tourism conscious group, residents are now developing various businesses to support tourism.

Hotel styled or homestay accommodation, cafes, kiosks, parking lots, boat rentals and guide services are widely available today. All of them are managed by residents in the group on a self-supporting basis. This group is now even being encouraged to be converted into a village-owned enterprise.

This was never previously imagined by the villagers when they were persuaded to work as mining laborers or employees at the outset of corporate activity. When the opposition took place, residents were once divided between those wishing to see the entry of mining companies to the region and those rejecting the plan.

Muhammad Ikhwan , 39, commonly called Iwan Dento, said every business unit managed by residents had its coordinator, such as those for boat rental and parking units. Iwan has become manager of the tourism group once also passionately leading the fight against the mining plan in Rammang Rammang.

“For boats, only residents living on river banks can obtain permits. This business involves mooring sites. They can cooperate with investors if they want to,” said Iwan.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

A butterfly of the vindula erota species searches for food at Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park (Babul National Park), Maros, South Sulawesi, Thursday (20/6/2019). In the national park, dubbed \'The Kingdom of Butterfly\', no less than 247 species of butterflies have been identified. British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace carried out exploration in this area from August to November 1857.

For its management there is division between license holders, boat owners, the village treasury and the group. Similarly, the parking business is shared by parking officers, the village treasury, the group and land owners. Every café or whatever business related to tourism also sets aside its income for the village treasury and the group. Village treasury funds are usually spent on the improvement of facilities and infrastructure, especially in the interest of tourism.

Group funds are utilized for capacity development and various training programs to support tourism promotion. “For boats, Rp 10,000 is cut off per trip, of which Rp 2,000 is for the village treasury and Rp 8,000 for the group. The total of money received by the group is again cut off by 30 percent and transferred to the village as village coffers,” said Iwan.

Boat travel from the pier to Berua village costs Rp 200,000-As a Rp 350,000 per trip, depending on the number of passengers. A small boat normally carries four passengers. “The boats lining up total 185 and 125 are ready. For boats, arrangements have been made so that all of them will get their turns,” said Daeng Beta, who is also boat coordinator.

For parking, the fee is Rp 10,000 for four-wheel vehicles and Rp 5,000 for two-wheel vehicles. As a rule, visitors park their vehicles near the pier and proceed by boat to Berua village.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

An aerial view of the karst mountain range around the village of Berua, Rammang-Rammang, Maros, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday (19/6/2019). The karst landscape is included in the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park area. In addition to rich biodiversity, the karst area here also holds traces of prehistoric life.

Environment education

As a conservation area and part of the Maros-Pangkep karst hill cluster, the zone is protected by local residents. They are educated to minimize waste disposal and at the same time recycle its usable portion. Besides, environment-friendly materials are utilized for various needs so that nothing will cause damage to the karst hill, its flora and fauna.

“Maintaining conservation and everything within the karst hill is important because it entirely constitutes a whole unit. Apart from ensuring sustainable life and environmental protection, the major source of residents’ income comes from tourism. People are coming here because nature is still well maintained,” Iwan added.

Karst is natural topography of carbonate rocks in the form of a hill with valleys and caves. Forest Ecosystem Controllers of the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park (TN Babul), Kama Jaya Shagir and Taufik Ismail, said the karst zone in Maros Pangkep was attractive. It is because the type of its karst tower is categorized as the world’s second largest and most beautiful after the karst in Shilin Yi, Yunnan Province, China, and included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention.

With an area of 46,200 hectares, 22,800 hectares of South Sulawesi’s karst zone belong to TN Babul.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The river serves as the main access to the village of Berua, Rammang-Rammang, Maros, South Sulawesi, as seen Wednesday (19/6/2019). The karst landscape is included in the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park area. In addition to rich biodiversity, the karst area here also holds traces of prehistoric life.

Water resources

A karst zone not only offers fascinating scenery but also plays a vital role in providing clean water resources. In the karst zone an underground river is running. Many water springs that keep flowing even in the dry season emerge on slopes. Limestone layers near the surface of karst are capable of retaining water for a long time.

TN Babul also records the karst zone as the habitat of various wildlife species, especially cave animals not yet much familiar to men. So far 732 animal and 710 plant species have been identified. There are also prehistoric caves as evidence of traces of human civilization thousands of years ago. In this zone a prehistoric cave is found to bear the world’s oldest hand painting estimated to be around 40,000 years old.

As a tourist destination, this zone has never been deserted by visitors. Last year alone, tourist arrivals in Rammang Rammang totaled 74,000. This has aroused residents’ awareness to keep safeguarding the zone. At present, about 60 percent of them are involved in the tourist sector. Some make it their main source of income and others are engaged as part-timers.

Residents’ income from tourism ranges from Rp 2.7 million to Rp3 million per month. This makes them more conscious of the need to participate in conserving Rammang Rammang. The growth of tourism also makes them realize that without mining operations, the economy can still thrive.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

A team from the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park (Babul National Park) explores Katinggiang Cave in the Bantimurung area, Maros, South Sulawesi, Friday (21/6/2019), The cave, which is not open to the public, has stalactites and stalagmites that are still growing. Moreover, the underground river has become its own attraction for special interest tourism.