THE forest of Bantaeng regency is relatively smaller compared to those of other regencies in South Sulawesi, as it only accounts for 0.2 percent of the total forest territory there. Nevertheless, the forest is of great importance to people in both Bantaeng itself and beyond: a conservation zone covers about half of the 6,222-hectare forest, providing essential hydrology functions.

Conversion into farmlands and plantations has caused degradation