JAKARTA, Oct 1 (NNN-ANTARA) – The Indonesian government, annulled on Monday, the planned shutdown of Komodo Island, a popular destination in the eastern region, over conservancy concerns.
The cancellation was decided in a meeting attended by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affair, Luhut Pandjaitan, Environment and Forestry Minister, Siti Nurbaya, Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province Governor, Viktor Laiskodat, who oversees Komodo Island.
“What we will do next is to reorganise the concurrent authority, jointly executed by the environment and forestry ministry and the NTT provincial government, so as to address tourism business, community livelihood, conservancy and investments in Komodo Island,” Siti Nurbaya said..
Among the planned reorganisations were improvements of tour spots, site management, promotion, rangers’ capacity, patrol facility, trained guides, amenities, public toilets and piers, so as to make Komodo Island part of world-class destination.
Total population of komodo dragons in the Komodo National Park that covers three islands of Komodo, Rinca and Gili Motang, are currently 2,897, according to data issued by the ministry.
The plan to totally shut Komodo Island from tourism activity next year was announced by NTT Governor, Viktor Laiskodat recently, over rampant deer poaching on Komodo Island.
The drastic decrease of deer population on the island was feared to affect population and livelihood of komodo dragons on the island. The island shut down was intended to bring back balanced natural condition in the wild.
The plan also includes relocation of residents out from the island.
During the closure of Komodo Island, NTT provincial government would leave Rinca Island still opened for tourism activities.– NNN-ANTARA