Ecotourism promising for Buton

Ecotourism promising for Buton

BAU BAU, Southeast Sulawesi (JP): Ecotourism, its advocates
believe, is one form of sustainable development and could hold
the promise for a bright future on scenic Buton.

The initiative has come from Asep S. Adhikerana and Wayan
Dirgayusa, both researchers at the Indonesian Institute of
Sciences (LIPI).

Both are involved in Operation Wallacea, which is currently
being carried out on the islands. The viability of their proposal
is being evaluated by bureaucrats in Jakarta.

Buton's main attraction would be its birds, which are found in
abundance in patches of tropical forests in mountain ridges.

A 1995 survey recorded 187 bird species. Quantity wise, it may
be no big deal but for bird observers, the 150-kilometer-long
island is unrivaled. Forty-four of the species are endemic to
Sulawesi and six to Indonesia. All 44 are protected by law.

But bird wise, Buton is neglected by scientists. Asep said
that the Sulawesian birds on the island are especially sensitive
and will suffer if their habitat is altered carelessly.

This concern has prompted scientists from both Indonesia and
abroad to make Buton a natural laboratory. Already identified as
hot spots, or areas with an exceptional abundance of birds, are
Lebo, Maligano, Lawele, Kinapani, Lakonti and Wakalambe.

"Birds are economically important. As an ecotourism attraction
they could be integrated with environmentally-sound economic
development," Asep says.

Asep and Wayan have proposed that ecotourism activities be
centered around Lake Togomotonu in the eastern Lawele
subdistrict, about 90 kilometers east of Bau Bau.

But the badly silted lake, situated in an area initially
earmarked for a transmigration site, needs major renovation and
tourist facilities, such as inns and roads, which have yet to be
built.

Reliable transportation is also a problem. Losmen (inns) are
available only in Bau Bau where economic and administrative
activities are centered. But transport to the island is hardly a
problem. Buton, which has no airport, can be reached in five and
half hours from Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi, by
regular ferries that serve the route twice a day.

Although it has tremendous potential, Buton lacks promotion.
Operation Wallacea's organizers hope holidaymakers from the U.S.,
Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore will hear of their efforts in
Buton and Tukangbesi islands from publicity of the operation.

Northern Buton, in the Muna region where the endangered Maleo
can be found, is far less developed than the southern region.

Although Buton regent Col. Saidoe is enthusiastic about the
ecotourism idea, so far neither experts nor government officials
have a clear idea about how they will materialize it. (pan)