Komodo Island Not Closed Down
Facing the polemic of the closure of Komodo Island from tourists now get certainty. The Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, stated that Komodo Island in Labuhan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara will not be closed to tourists. The people in this area will not be moved either.
"There has been a decision from the Integrated Team. One, the island of Komodo will not be closed and secondly, the people on the island of Komodo may not move, "explained Arief on the sidelines of the Focus Group Discussion. The Integrated Team handling this is led by the Director General under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This decision is also highly awaited by tourism agents and travel agents to ensure the promotion and marketing of tour packages.
During this time, the perpetrators are looking forward to the certainty of the government of tourist access on the island that has rare animals Komodo. Some operators do not dare to sell tour packages there because they are still waiting.
With this certainty, it is hoped that it will bring fresh air to the world of tourism there. "There must be this certainty, and 2020 can still be opened," he explained. Previously the East Nusa Tenggara government planned to close the island of Komodo for a tourist visit. The reason is for the breeding of these animals.
Unfortunately, this plan also raises many pros and cons in the community. Until finally an integrated team was formed under the control of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, to advocate for policies on the island.
The desire of the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, NTT, Viktor Laiskodat, to temporarily close the Komodo National Park triggered a polemic. The plan is considered to have an impact on regional income, but is claimed to boost the Komodo dragon population.
The National Park Authority under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) said there are currently no population emergencies or environmental threats.
Some tourism service providers worry that their business will collapse if the Komodo National Park is really closed in the long run.
On the other hand the local government wants the area with the status of a UNESCO version of the world heritage site can be redesigned. They also hope to achieve a higher share of tourism revenue.
Head of the Komodo National Park, Budhy Kurniawan, claimed that the management of the team that was held by his team was running right on target with the Komodo dragon population he said was still at a safe level.
According to Budhy, the temporary closure expressed by Viktor was only a discourse and could not necessarily be carried out.