Rammang-Rammang has become one of South Sulawesi\u2019s flagship tourist\ndestinations. Located in Salenrang Village, Bontoa District, Maros\nRegency, it offers a stunning panorama of majestic and charming karst\nmountain formations. This karst range is said to be the second largest\nin the world after Chilind in China and Tsingy in Madagascar, and the\narea is recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark.<\/p>\n
Sunardi, from the Anak Sungai Community, explained that before the\narea became a tourist destination in 2007, the site from Dock I to Dock\nII was used for marble and cement mining. This activity faced opposition\nfrom environmental activists and local residents who depended on the\narea for their livelihoods. Another reason for the rejection was that\nRammang-Rammang possesses a spring that supplies water to three\nvillages.<\/p>\n
\"We only realised after the tourism area was established, researchers\ncame in, students came in. We invited various activities to\nRammang-Rammang. After research, it turned out we are in the second\nlargest category in the world after China,\" he said at Kampung Berua,\nRammang-Rammang.<\/p>\n
Beyond the breathtaking karst scenery, the Rammang-Rammang tourist\nvillage offers various attractions and activities. Visitors can cruise\nalong the white river by boat, enjoy the atmosphere of Kampung Berua\u2014the\nmain landmark accessible only by water\u2014explore caves, trek through the\nstone forest, stay at the Rammang-Rammang Eco Lodge, and watch the\nbeautiful sunrise. The area also features expanses of rice fields,\nfishponds, plantations, and settlements, along with approximately 1,250\nhistorical caves, 1,340 species of flora and fauna, and 123 local\ncultural traditions.<\/p>\n
Sunardi noted that world heritage recognition began when UNESCO\nassessed Rammang-Rammang in 2022. During that visit, the UNESCO assessor\nteam toured the area using an electric boat. \"We prepared the electric\nboat for the assessor from UNESCO. That\u2019s how it happened.\nAlhamdulillah, he enjoyed the journey. He was even interested in staying\nhere,\" Sunardi explained.<\/p>\n
The electric boats were provided by PT PLN (Persero) through PLN\u2019s\nNorth Makassar Customer Service Unit (UP3). The assistance began when\nthe Anak Sungai Community, as the manager, applied for electrical\ninfrastructure in the Rammang-Rammang tourism area. Once the\ninfrastructure was in place, the community and PLN UP3 initiated the use\nof electricity to power boats transporting tourists around the site. The\nelectric boats allow guides to share information without the disturbance\nof a motor engine. \"Since the arrival of these boats, they have greatly\nhelped the presence of Rammang-Rammang, especially for foreign tourists.\nForeign tourists are very happy using electric boats,\" he said. Tourists\nvisiting Rammang-Rammang come from various countries across Asia,\nAustralia, and Europe.<\/p>\n
The modified electric boats are equipped with a 1.47 kW engine and a\n2x58 Volt DC battery. Compared to diesel engines, the electric boats are\nsilent, making the visit more comfortable for tourists. Sunardi added\nthat the tourism site supports around 300 local families, providing jobs\nas boat drivers, parking attendants, vendors, canteen operators, and\nguides.<\/p>\n
Sadrach, Manager of PLN\u2019s Maros Customer Service Unit, explained that\nthe electric boat assistance was provided not only to overcome noise but\nalso for environmental reasons, as the preservation of the karst area\nmust be maintained. PLN has also provided a Public Electric Vehicle\nCharging Station (SPLU) with a capacity of 7,700 Volt Ampere at Dock 2\nbridge to facilitate battery recharging. \"If more electric boats are\ndeveloped in the future, we will add more SPLU units, perhaps at Dock I\nand Dock III, and we will also prepare the electrical infrastructure,\"\nSadrach said. PLN\u2019s initiative in providing electric boats has been\nfollowed by the local and provincial governments. Currently, seven\nelectric boats are in operation, with two units from PLN and five from\nthe local government.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/from-marble-quarry-to-world-icon-the-transformation-of-rammang-rammang-1786420326", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }