Batu Laki Tourism in South Kalimantan Drives Local Economy
The Batu Laki Limestone Site, located in the Padang Batung District of Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan Province, has become a key site within the Meratus UNESCO Global Geopamin area, effectively driving the economy of surrounding communities.
Muhammad Arsad, the manager of the Batu Laki Limestone Site, stated that tourism activities in the area have had a direct impact on the local economy. “The presence of ‘lanting’ tourism (floating structures) provides an economic impact for the local people. Visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and nature here also bring benefits to the community,” he said in Hulu Sungai Selatan on Thursday.
According to him, the appeal of Batu Laki is inseparable from its well-preserved natural condition. The landscape, rivers, and natural atmosphere are key attractions that draw visitors to the area.
Consequently, he noted that environmental preservation is a vital component in maintaining the sustainability of tourism activities at Batu Laki. A well-maintained environment serves as the foundation for the continued appeal of the tourist destination, ensuring that the economic benefits derived from tourist visits can be continuously enjoyed by the local population.
Site manager Akhmad Setia Budi added that the sustainability of community economic activities cannot be separated from the environmental condition of the area. “The environment must be protected because from a well-preserved environment, the community gains both results and benefits,” he said.
He assessed that nature conservation and economic benefits for the community can go hand in hand if the tourist area is managed sustainably. Batu Laki demonstrates how natural potential can become part of community economic activity without neglecting environmental preservation aspects. The ‘lanting’ serves as a medium that connects the interests of tourists with the local community.
For visitors, the ‘lanting’ offers an opportunity to enjoy the area from a different perspective. For the community, the existence of tourism activities creates space to derive economic benefits from the area’s potential.
This type of tourism development aligns with the management principles of the Meratus UNESCO Global Geopark, which connects the aspects of conservation, education, and community economic development. By maintaining environmental sustainability as a foundation, tourism activities in Batu Laki are expected to develop sustainably while providing increasingly broader benefits to the surrounding community.