Biodiversity Index Increases, Evidence of SIG's Commitment to the Conservation of the World Archaeological Heritage of Bulu Sipong 4

JAKARTA - Leang (Cave) Bulu Sipong 4 in Bukit Bulu Sipong witnessed civilization, where there is the oldest rock art in the world which is around 44,000 years old depicting scenes of animal hunting by humans in the prehistoric era. The existence of Bulu Sipong 4 is proof of the commitment of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG) and PT Semen Tonasa, in protecting the sustainability of world cultural heritage and commitment to sustainable development.

The Bulu Sipong 4 cultural heritage is located on the land of the PT Semen Tonasa clay mine, specifically in Bontoa Village, Minasatene District, Pangkep, South Sulawesi. Quoted from the book Cultural Heritage Management Plan by PT Semen Tonasa, Bulu Sipong 4 is one of the prehistoric caves in the Bulu Sipong Hill which was first discovered by the Makassar Cultural Heritage Preservation Office (BP3) in 2016. This discovery was then followed up with a research in the form of sampling dating on rock drawings and then followed up with a cooperation agreement between PT Semen Tonasa and the Director General of Culture in order to protect the prehistoric cave.

Based on the recommendation of the SIG as the parent company, PT Semen Tonasa moved quickly to designate the Bulu Sipong area of 31.64 hectares or 11.3% of the total mine area of 280 hectares as a conservation area. Precisely on May 18, 2018, PT Semen Tonasa inaugurated the Bulu Sipong Biodiversity (Kehati) and Geopark to protect biodiversity around the mine area as well as the Geopark and Purbakala areas. Bulu Sipong 4 as one of the geosite in the Maros Pangkep Geopark was then officially included in the UNESCO Global Geopark list based on the decision of the 216th UNESCO Executive Board in Paris, France in 2023.

Corporate Secretary of SIG, Vita Mahreyni said, the designation of the Bulu Sipong area as a conservation area is proof of the commitment of SIG and PT Semen Tonasa to sustainable development that balances industry with the environment and cultural values. Bulu Sipong is expected to be a means of education and help promote the history and culture of civilization to the wider community. "The company also collaborates with the LPPM of Hasanuddin University in releasing the Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the Bulu Sipong prehistoric site 4. The document serves as a guide for the management of cultural heritage owned by the Company, including Bulu Sipong which is a cultural heritage site, so that it can be managed well sustainably to maintain existing cultural values," said Vita Mahreyni.

In addition, in the management of Bulu Sipong, PT Semen Tonasa cooperates with the XIX Regional Cultural Preservation Agency (BPK), among others, for periodic monitoring of vibrations and ambient air, casting of 1,800 meters of road and periodic watering of the mine road to reduce dust. The company also educates employees and the surrounding community about the importance of preserving prehistoric sites, installing signs and restricting access by installing a fence along 1,900 meters, and revegetation in conservation areas.

In addition to ancient rock art, Kehati Park and Bulu Sipong Geopark are also home to various types of flora and fauna with an increasing Kehati Index. Until 2025, there are 25 types of flora with a total number of plants of 2,898 trees, including ebony (diospyros celebica), fingernail wood (pericopsis mooniana), and bitti (vitex cofassus) which are endemic local plants.

In addition to flora, Kehati Park and Bulu Sipong Geopark are also natural habitats for 41 types of wildlife consisting of 37 bird species, 2 types of primates, and 1 bird and 1 reptile. The total number of animals that have been successfully monitored until 2025 is 869, including dare monkeys (macaca maura) and tarsiers which are endemic primates that are protected.

Vita Mahreyni added, Kehati Park and Bulu Sipong Geopark are protectors of biodiversity which play an important role in maintaining the balance of the natural ecosystem. In 2025, Kehati Park and Bulu Sipong Geopark recorded a Kehati Flora Index value of 1.54, or an increase from the 2020 period of 1.38. The Kehati Fauna Index was also recorded as rising to 2.85 from the previous 2.51 in 2020.

"The increase in the value of the Kehati Taman Kehati and Bulu Sipong Geopark Index shows that the environment of the Bulu Sipong area is increasingly beautiful and has become a protective fortress for the sustainability of biodiversity and archaeological heritage within it. For this strategic initiative, SIG and PT Semen Tonasa received appreciation and honor as speakers at the international forum SPAFA International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology and Fine Arts (SPAFACON) 2024 and Indonesia Geopark Leader Forum 2025 to present the Bulu Sipong site protection program as well as the Kehati protection program," said Vita Mahreyni.