Desa Bissoloro-Kabupaten Gowa. The Faculty of Forestry, Hasanuddin University (Unhas), through the Academic and Student Affairs Sector, is holding community service activities in the form of a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the theme “Ecotourism Development in Social Forestry Areas”. The activity took place starting at 19.09 WITA at the Moncong Sipolong HKm Parang Lappara tourist attraction, Bissoloro Village, Sapaya District, Gowa Regency, Friday (11/10/2024).
Starting the activities of the Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty of Forestry, Unhas, Prof. Dr. Ir. Syamsu Rijal, S.Hut., M.Si., IPU. In his speech, he expressed his gratitude to the Acting Head. Head of KPH or representative and Head of Bissoloro Village as well as Chair of HKm Parang Lappara District. Gowa has welcomed us and our group to carry out community service activities.
“Our aim in carrying out community service in Bissoloro Village regarding the development of ecotourism in social forestry areas is to share experiences related to ecotourism management, in this case the Moncong Sipolong tourist attraction which has recently become known to many people, so we want to share about its management because we also have KHDTK “Unhas Faculty of Forestry Education Forest which can be used for ecotourism,” explained Prof. Syamsu Rijal.
Furthermore, Prof. Syamsu Rijal said that he hopes that through this activity we can get information on the management of Moncong Sipolong ecotourism for us to implement at the KHDTK, Educational Forest, Faculty of Forestry, Unhas, so that it can develop better and be known by many people.
On the same occasion Mr. Mansyur represented Plt. The Head of KPH Jeneberang in his speech expressed his gratitude for the presence of the Unhas Forestry Faculty service team at the Moncong Sipolong HKm Parang Lappara tourist attraction, Bissoloro Village, Gowa Regency.
“Welcome lecturers and students of the Faculty of Forestry, Hasanuddin University, to the Moncong Sipolong Tourist Attraction in the context of carrying out community service activities. I hope that this activity can provide good input in the development and management of the KHDTK Educational Forest and the Moncong Sipolong Tourist Attraction,” explained Mr. Mansyur.
Present as a resource person, the Head of Bissoloro Village and Chairman of HKm Parang Lappara, Bissoloro Village, Sapaya District, Gowa Regency, Abdul Rahim in his material said that Bissoloro Village had received a permit as a Forest Farmer Group (KTH) since 2007, an ecotourism permit in 2017 and a Community Forest permit (HKm) since 2022.
“Seeing that the location of Bissoloro Village has the potential to become a tourist attraction with an area of 60 hectares and close to Makassar, in 2007 it obtained a social forestry permit at KTH Parang Lappara and there are 6 spots to visit including Moncong Sipolong, Tanah Lompoa and others,” explained Abdul Rahim .
In establishing a tourist attraction, the main requirement that must exist is community and the main keys are security, transportation, communication networks and electricity.
“In 2017, five director generals stayed overnight. The advice and input from the director general was that security was guaranteed and there was no disturbance, considering that this village is prone to crime, but thanks to our efforts together with the village community, security has been maintained,” said Abdul Rahim.
Abdul Rahim further said that the community is very open if there are outside parties who want to invest as long as this can empower the people of Bissoloro village and the results can be enjoyed by our families.
“In the process of developing the Moncong Sipolong tourist attraction, we really need help from academics, in this case academics from the Faculty of Forestry, Unhas. I hope that KTH Bissoloro Village can become a village supported by the Faculty of Forestry, Unhas,” explained Abdul Rahim.
The activity went smoothly and ended with a joint discussion session.
