In the midst of the various challenges faced by Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, the concept of tourism in the KNP has shifted from an ecotourism to a resort model with complete facilities.
By
ISMAIL ZAKARIA/FRANS PATI HERIN
·3 minutes read
LABUAN BAJO, KOMPAS — Concerns over the preservation of the endangered Komodo dragon in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), have grown as tourism infrastructure projects continue in the Komodo National Park (KNP) area.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has urged for a temporary postponement of infrastructure development in the KNP until further studies are conducted. The KNP has been on the list of world heritage sites since 1991.
However, in line with the inclusion of Labuan Bajo as one of the country’s National Tourism Strategic Areas (KSPN), the development of infrastructure and facilities is continuing. There are currently at least six investors building infrastructure projects within the KNP conservation areas such as Rinca Island, Komodo Island, Padar Island and Tatawa.
The construction of a resort and other supporting tourism facilities on Rinca Island has reached 70 percent completion. "So, the threat to Komodo dragons is not only from the impact of climate change, but also human activities, such as the tourism project on Rinca Island," Doni Parera, a conservation tourism activist in the KNP said on Tuesday (14/9/2021).
At the congress in Paris in early September, the International Union for Conservation of Nature included the Komodo dragon on the red list of endangered animals. The list shifted the status of the Komodo dragon down from vulnerable.
Threats to the dragon, among others, include the impact of climate change and the rise in sea levels which reduces their habitat. The condition is also made worse by the low diversity of the Komodo dragon\'s genome which makes it naturally more vulnerable.
According to the Environment and Forestry Ministry, the number of Komodo dragons increased from 2,897 in 2018 to 3,022 in 2019. Most of them were found on Komodo Island and Rinca Island. There were only seven on Padar Island, 69 on Gili Motang and 91 others on Nusa Kode. The KNP area which was inaugurated on 6 March, 1980 covers about 173,000 hectares.
In the midst of the various challenges faced by Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, the concept of tourism in the KNP has shifted from an ecotourism to a resort model with complete facilities.
“The concept of ecotourism in the KNP will be removed. Existing Komodo dragons can be stressed by giant construction projects that are under way,” said a tour guide in Labuan Bajo, Videlis Daor.
Videlis said as a tour guide, he knew the tourists who came did not intend to enjoy the resort with all its luxuries, but came for adventure, seeing Komodo dragons and their nature.
Latif (41), a resident of Komodo Island, said that the nature around the KNP area had changed a lot following the development of tourism supporting facilities on Rinca Island. Many tourists were disappointed to see concrete buildings there, he said.
NTT Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat said in a press statement on Tuesday (3/8) that the construction of infrastructure within the KNP area was intended to provide a sense of comfort for tourists so that the KNP would be able to bring tremendous economic benefits for NTT. Meanwhile, the Environment and Forestry Ministry’s Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems director general Wiratno said that the infrastructure development was, instead, intended to protect the Komodo dragons (Kompas, 7/8).