IDENTIFICATION OF PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ECOTOURISM

POTENTIAL IN RAMMA VALLEY AT BAWAKARAENG

MOUNTAIN SOUTH SULAWESI
Mohamad Padri1, Surianto1, Andi Andriana1, Aji Maulana1 and A. Nurul Virninda1
1

Universitas Negeri Makassar Address: Dg. Tata street, -Parangtambung. Phone (0411) 840610, 841504
Makassar 90224
Emai address: Labbiounm@gmail.com

Abstract
This research is aim to identify the potential of ecotourism in Ramma valley. The kind of research
is descriptive by using exploration method. The data of physical potential, Flora and Fauna
potential are collected by direct exploration on the field by using GPS, compass, and meter. There
is also supporting potential such as social condition which is collected by survey to the people
around that area. The data will be processed and used for making ecotourism route plan to Ramma
valley. The result shown that Ramma valley has lot of attractive physical potentials to be improved
such as water fall, hill top, camping ground, river and lake. Flora and Fauna potential are also
become attractive icons which is exist in this area, The kind of Flora such as orchid, flowering
epiphyte plants, passion fruits, flowering shrubs and Fauna icons such as fishes, partridges and
birds. Social, economic and culture aspects in Lembanna district also can support this ecotourism,
the people are open-minded and welcoming the visitors.

Keyword: Ecotourism, Physical Potential, Social Potential, Ramma Valley.

continuously threatened increasing by the
number of climbers per weeks. One
alternative way for this phenomenon is
conducting environmental resources
exploration by changing the camp
activities in to eco-tourism activities.
According
to
The
International
Ecotourism Society (1990), Ecotourism is
a kind of responsible travel to natural
areas to protect the environment and
improve the welfare of local society in
addition to prevent systemic damage
being more widespread in that region, in
other hand it can also become a potential
for local society income.
The results of exploration and
surveys that already conducted in Ramma
valley shown physical and social
conditions
were
supporting
for
ecotourism activities. Where can be
found the variety of unique and beautiful
scenery, flora and fauna variance and
friendly society environment which more
attract the visitors. According to Ahmad
(2012), if the potential of flora and fauna
with physical objects, such as

I. Introduction
Sulawesi Island is a unique place. It is
located at the rally between west biota
which is related to Asia and east biota
that is related to Australia. Sulawesi is a
distinctive and beautiful region, it has lot
of variance of plants and animals. This
place also has endemic species in higher
numerous than the other area in the world
(Cannon et al, 2005). One of potential
location can be found in Gowa, precisely
at the foothills of Bawakaraeng
Mountain. According to Ronialimuddin
(2013) Bawakaraeng Mountain in Gowa
becomes destination of the climbers in
South Sulawesi. Its valley named
Ramma. This location become a beautiful
camping corner which has unspoiled
landscape and many other unique plants.
It is an enchanting valley at South
Sulawesi.
Ramma valley, as the camp sites
indirectly disrupted by uncontrolled habit
of the climbers, such as careless of
environmental
sustainability
which
damage the ecosystem at that area. The
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topography, caves and its ornaments, and

waterfalls conducting as a tourist
attraction, then it will bring a great
economic benefit without destroying the
ecosystem.
Based on the case above, this study
aims to identify the physical and social
potential of ecotourism activities that is
expecting to have a positive impact on
Ramma valley preservation.

destruction of ecosystems can be resolved

with ecotourism activities. The Addition
activity of ecotourism trip of someone or
group can be an educational trip for
visitors, as described by the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism and WWFIndonesia, (2009) The term "ecotourism"
can be interpreted as a trip by tourists to
remote areas with the aim of enjoy and
learn about nature, history and culture in
a region, where the pattern of tourism
helps local economies and support the
conservation of nature.

II. Content and Method

This research was conducted Ramma
valley of Bawakaraeng mountain- Gowa,
South Sulawesi. It was held during 4
months starting at April to July 2014. The
observation for this study area was
conducted by exploration. Before
navigating to the previous studies that
already conducted, the field surveys were
also conduct interviews to the local
people for getting preliminary data
regarding Ramma Valley area. The data
collection
was
performed
direct
observation method on the field by doing
camping in the target area for several
days and searching within satellite
captures to find a potential point as
additional physical resources. Then the
exploration carried out on the potential
area. After having the captures, then the
next step is taking the coordinates of the
regions.
Materials and tools in the field of
this study include tents, Nesting, stove,
sleeping Bag, Golf Shoes, chopper knives
and Knives. The instrument of data taken
were using GPS, Google Earth and
ArcGIS Software, Computer Gear,
Camera, meter with the length: 100
meters and 10 meters. The material of
this study is eco-tourism potential of
Ramma valley.

A. Physical Potential
According to Ahmad (2012), the
potential for ecotourism of physical
potential land are built from mountain
peaks, waterfalls, rivers and camping
ground. Ecotourism potentials include
such those things in Ramma Valley. So
that, the focus of this research is the
potential for an interesting topography
physical, biological ecosystems, and
other potential supporters.
1. Tallung Peak
Tallung peak (Figure 1) is one of the
physical potential to be one of the
attraction in height area that will show
Ramma valley scenery which consist of
steep mountain slopes, rivers, lakes,
forests and composite stone that surround
the Valley Ramma. This peak reached
approximately 3 hours from Lembanna
hamlet, it is the last hamlet before
climbing. At the top of this area there is
also a monument in memoriam one of the
climbers, hikers can also camping to wait
for sunrise or sunset view.
2. River
One of the interesting physical potential
in Ramma Valley is the rivers flowing
and splitting the camping ground (Figure
2). This river is a very important resource
for hikers and nature lovers. In addition,
there is also a river in the forest
surrounded by wild plants that grow
along the river, lined the rocks that form
the stratified flow, thus forming a
complex beautiful ecosystem

III. Result and Discussion

Ramma Valley has the physical and
social potential that supporting tourist
attraction. In order to make it as
ecotourism, the problems occur such as
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3. Lake
The lake of Ramma valley (Figure 3) is
an attraction for hikers and nature lovers.
It is surrounded by beautiful plants as a
good physical potential. Besides the
beautiful scenery, the lake is also become
fishing corner for hikers or nature lovers.
The lake is surrounded by small hills that
might be as an alternative place to
camping.

the view of the waterfall from the hills. In

addition, nature lovers and hikers can
camping
in
this
area.
b. Waterfall in Ramma valley.
This Waterfall is flowing high enough
from the top to the valley. The water is
the main attraction for nature lovers. In
Ramma Valley, on the steep slopes there
is water flow that resembles a waterfall.
The water flow to form multiple streams
of beautiful waterfalls surrounded by
views of the hillside which is usually
covered by fog.

4. Forest
Natural forest covering and pine forests
have great potential for tourism
development (Figure 4). According to
Fandeli, 2001 (in Ahmad, 2012), forest
ecosystems saving lot of information
about biodiversity to serve as the object
of ecotourism. The forest is one of
dazzling physical potential. Besides being
a home for unique animals such as
partridge and a long-tailed bird. This
forest is also interesting tourist attraction
because there are many forest plants such
as epiphytic orchids and grounded orchid
grows in the forest.

6. Camping ground
Ramma Valley
has
camping
ground area that is potentially (Figune 6),
surrounded by steep slopes and rivers
located along the camping ground. The
camping ground is still necessary
arrangements, in order to more optimum
utilization. Needed a study for this spatial
arrangement camping ground, according
to the carrying capacity utilization, so
that it will give comfort to the visitors do
camping. The trip to this camping area in
takes about 4 hours from the Lembanna
village. According to the Directorate
General
of
Tourism Republic
of
Indonesia (1985), Natural Potential
tourism can be divided into four regions,
such as the flora and fauna. In Ramma
Valley area, there are several kinds of
flora that can become tourism potential
for nature lovers. Types of flora that
found during
the search as
follows.

5. Waterfall
Waterfall in Ramma valley found in two
locations, near Lembanna and Ramma
valley (Figure 5).
a. Waterfall near Lembanna
Waterfall in this region has a height about
20
meters.
This
waterfall
is
approximately
30
minutes
from
Lembanna. This scene is the physical
potential attraction for the climber. The
ecotourism lovers and hikers can enjoy

Andi Andriana (2014)

Figure 1. Tallung peak scenery

816

Andi Andriana (2014)

Aji Maulana (2014)

Figure 2. The river at Ramma valley

Andi Andriana (2014)

Andi Andriana
(2014)

Andi Andriana (2014)

Figure 3. The Lake at Ramma valley

Andi Andriana (2014)

Andi Andriana (2014)

Figure 4. The forest in Ramma

Andi Andriana (2014)

Andi Andriana (2014)

Figure 5. Waterfallat Ramma valley

(a)Waterfall near Lembanna (b)Waterfall in Ramma valley

Andi Andriana (2014)

Andi Andriana (2014)

817

Figure 6. Camping Ground Area in Ramma Valley.

a. Orchid
throughout the year but ground orchids
The Orchid plants in this area have some
flowering in this area throughout the
kind, either in the form of epiphytic
year. However, in certain types of flower,
orchids or terrestrial orchids. The
the blooming stage can only be found in
beauty of this plant in this area can be
certain months also, in accordance with
found simply by traveling a few meters
the flowering season of each species
from the campsite. Most epiphytic
(Figue 7).
orchids were blooming in this area not

b.

Mohamad Padri (2014)

2
3
Figure 7. Orchids at Ramma valley
(1) Grounded Orchid; (2) and (3) Epiphytic Orchid

Pteridophyta and Another Epiphytic

Plant

Ramma valley so it looks like rows of

plants that are deliberately grown by
humans (Figure 9).

Mohamad Padri
(2014)
Figure 8. Epiphytic Plant on Stem
Pteridophyta in this area is also one of
identifier of vegetation in this area. In
this area it has diverse kinds
and quite interesting to watch the
difference and spreading. Epiphytic plant
in this area has diverse forms. The
existence of this plant is also very
interesting for nature lovers (Figure 8).

Mohamad
PadriFruit
(2014)
Figure 9. Wild
Passion
d. Another Flowering Plant
Flowering Shrub Plant with habitat of
shrub although liana in this area are also
can be used as a very strong
fascination. Its presence forming shrub
vegetation with variated flowers. This
scene can be seen directly by nature
lovers from land camp (camping
ground). This shrub grows freely in the
Ramma Valley. In addition to the
resources of flora, fauna, there are also
resources that live in the Ramma Valley
area (Figure 10).

c. Wild Passion Fruit

Wild passion fruit in this area is also an
endemic plant to this area. Fertilization
are abundant in the months with low
rainfall, it makes this region filled
with passion fruit in certain areas in
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Figure 12. 2 kinds of Bird that found in

the forest
B. Social Potential
Lembanna environment which is the
nearest township of Ramma Valley area
also
has
a
majority
of
the population work as farmers. Based
on field observations, this
village
has residents who are really friendly
to the tourists. The friendly demeanor of
the society is also shown by the banquet
that they do to the climber when the
climber will climb to the Bawakaraeng
Mountain or Ramma Valley. The
culture of
the residents
who
are
maintaining the conservation is definitely
support the implementation of the
concept of ecotourism for the trip to the
Valley Ramma. According to Hadinoto in
Mukaryanti et al (2005), ecotourism is a
form of tourism activities that take
advantage of the authenticity of the
natural environment, where there is
interaction between residents and
tourists. Therefore, in culturally the
residents around Ramma Valley also
have the potential to interact socially with
the tourists and this is one of the main
supporters of ecotourism activities and it
can increase the income of the people, if
this ecotourism is implemented.

Figure 10. Flowering Shrub Plant

Besides Flora, there are also fauna
lived in Ramma valley that following
below:
a. Partridge
Partridge (Gallus gallus) is one of the
types of animals that can be found in the
woods around the Ramma valley. This
type includes species that are hard to
find free Ramma Valley area, this is
because the species is very sensitive to
the surrounding conditions. Voice of this
species was heard in Ramma Valley area
(Figure 11)

Figure 11. Partridge that found in the

forest around Ramma Valley
b. Bird
One type of free-flying birds can be
found in the area where the climbers were
camping. This type has a shape similar
to the morphology of birds in general.
The second bird was found in the woods
around the Valley Ramma. This species
is larger than the first bird species, has
a long tail and reddish brown (Figure 12).

IV. Conclusion
Potential of
natural
resources in
Ramma Valley region has various kinds.
Start from physical resources such as
Niagara Falls, camp area, Tallung peaks,
lakes, forests, and rivers. There are also
flora
and fauna
resources
such
as, natural orchids, epiphytic passion fruit
plants and forest birds.
Resource was also supported
by the
social condition of society which is
open minded
and
willing
to
cooperate with nature lovers. In addition
to the open minded demeanor of the
citizens,
awareness
of
nature
conservation and always keep the
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environment are also become one of the

hallmark of the community in the hamlet
Lembanna.
4. Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata dan
WWF-Indonesia.
5. Mukaryanti & A. Saraswati. 2005.
Pengembangan Ekowisata Sebagai
Pendekatan Pengelolaan Sumberdaya
Pesisir Berkelanjutan Kasus Desa
Blendung- Kabupaten Pemalang. J.
Tek. Ling. 6 (12):391-396.
6. Ronialimuddin.2013. Lembah Ramma,
'The Lost World' di Kaki Gunung
Bawakaraeng.http://travel.detik.com/re
adfoto/2013/07/14/131000/2301499/
1026/2/lembah-ramma-the-lost-worlddi-kaki-gunung-bawakaraeng (online)
October, 6th 2013.
7. The International Ecotourism Society.
1990.
What
is
Ecotourism.Http://www.ecotourism.org
. (Online) October, 6th 2013.

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