简体中文
By APD writer Aditya Nugraha
**JAKARTA, July 20 (APD) ** - Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province planned to close down Komodo Island in the province, aimed at rehabilitating the livelihood of the Komodo Jurassic animal which exclusively living in the island.
Closure of the island from any commercial and tourism activities was confirmed by provincial tourism office recently.
“It is clear that we have decided to close down Komodo Island next year,” head of the province’s tourism office Wayan Darmawa was quoted by state media outlet Antara.
The decision was endorsed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his recent visit in Labuan Bajo, a popular destination near the island, Wayan said.
The closure on the island was decided on Wednesday, would be conducted the whole year, he added.
Total closure of Komodo Island was intended to rehabilitate the livelihood of Komodo dragons due to increasing tourism activities in the island that disrupts ecosystem balance in the Komodo habitat.
NTT Governor Viktor Laiskodat previously said the closure would be conducted in Komodo National park in the island, originally intended to expand population of Komodo and deer, the dietary for the Jurassic animal.
“Currently the size of Komodo dragons is not as big as they used to be. It was because their ultimate dietary, the deer, have been drastically decrease due to rampant poaching over the deer,” Viktor said.
The governor said provincial administration has allocated some US$ 7.17 million to finance rehabilitation of Komodo Island.
He, however, said that Komodo dragon tourism attraction would still on in nearby Rinca Island, which is also inhabited by Komodo dragons.
Tourists can still observe Komodo dragons, or having a closer encounter with the exotic animal in Rinca Island's wilderness areas throughout next year.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
