TRG-Concern. The Thematic Research Group (TRG) Concern research team from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Hasanuddin University, in collaboration with the Maros Regency Government, held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in the Hall of the Maros Regent’s Office, with the theme “Navigating Sustainability Goals And Esg Challenges In Rammang-Rammang: Balancing Local Participation And Karst Conservation”. This activity is in order to carry out research from the internal Hiba of Hasanuddin University. Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
This activity began with remarks from the Head of the TRG Team, Dr. Sawedi Muhammad, who said that the Rammang-Rammang karst area is a very unique and exotic area, and is classified as rare in the world. Geologically, this area is ranked second or third globally, after similar karst areas in Madagascar and China. Sawedi added, “Interestingly, all of this wealth can coexist harmoniously with the activities of local communities who have long settled and actively coexisted with the karst environment, making it a real example of the reciprocal relationship between humans and nature in a sustainable socio-ecological landscape.”
In between activities, the Regent of Maros, H.A.S. Chaidir Syam, S.IP., M.H., opened the FGD activity and expressed his appreciation for the collaborative initiative between Unhas and the Regional Government. According to him, the involvement of academics is very important in maintaining the sustainability of the Rammang-Rammang area while increasing the social and economic value of the community.
“Rammang-Rammang is one of the leading destinations with rich geology and biodiversity. Through discussions with the community, we hope that there will be innovations that we can initiate to maintain and preserve the Rammang-Rammang karst area,” said Chaidir Syam.
On the same occasion, Dr. Sawedi Muhammad, M.Sc., as the head of the Research Team said that Rammang-Rammang as a karst area, there are a number of global principles that must be met, especially those within the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework. These principles require standards in environmental management, social governance, and transparency and accountability of policies.
On this occasion, the participants gave their views on the Rammang-Rammang karst area. The entire series of FGDs went smoothly, with several suggestions and input from the participants who were the community and managers of the Rammang-Rammang karst area.
At the end of the FGD discussion, the Head of the Maros Tourism, Youth and Sports Office (Disparpor), M Ferdiansyah conveyed and hoped that the results of this discussion could produce strategic formulations and recommendations that were useful, especially for us in the local government, the Tourism Office, village governments, Pokdarwis, and BUMDes as well as Community Leaders, in order to strengthen efforts to manage the Maros-Pangkep Geopark area.
