All people of South Sulawesi, please support us.
Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA) - South Sulawesi Provincial Culture and Tourism Office Head Jufri stated that the related ministry began conducting a pre-assessment of the Maros-Pangkep Geopark to gain the UNESCO World Heritage status.

"On Monday (June 6) until Wednesday (June 8), a pre-assessment is being conducted by the relevant ministries, and I will also accompany the team," Jufri stated here on Monday.

However, the UNESCO assessors will conduct a direct assessment on June 14-18, 2022, the office head noted.

The assessment will be conducted by officers from the Czech Republic and Denmark as the representatives of UNESCO.


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"All people of South Sulawesi, please support us," the office head stated.

The Maros-Pangkep Geopark is one of the strategic areas for tourism development in the province, especially nature and adventure-based tourism that has vast geodiversity, biodiversity, and cultural diversities.

The Rammang-rammang karst is one of the attractions of the geopark and the second-largest karst tower in the world.

Earlier, general manager of the Maros-Pangkep Geopark Management Agency, Dedy Irfan, stated that the geopark area had been proposed by the government as one of the candidates for the UNESCO Global Geopark status since 2020.

Irfan pointed out that obtaining the UNESCO recognition was replete with challenges, though his side is confident about gaining the recognition through support and participation of all parties.


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Some 665 thousand people comprising Bugis and Makassar ethnicities inhabit the geopark area.

Several waterfalls and scenic landscapes are located in the geopark, including the Armang Waterfall, Lacolla Waterfall, Bantimurung Natural Park, Pattunuang Natural Conservation Area, as well as more than 400 caves, with charming ornaments, formed over millions of years.

Also present is the world’s oldest wall painting in a cave from the pre-historic human era dating back 45 thousand years.

Meanwhile, the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, which is also located in the geopark area, is nicknamed "The Kingdom of Butterfly," as there are 240 species of insects in the national park.


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Translator: Nur Wardyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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