Govt Unveils Grand Design to Re-Develop Komodo Island
President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana, visits Rinca Island, Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara, Thursday (11/7). Photo by: Rahmat/PR.
The Government has announced a grand design to designate areas for tourists and those functioned as conservation areas in Rinca island and Komodo island.
“The two islands should not only about tourism but should also become conservation areas,” President Joko Jokowi Widodo told reporters during his visit to Rinca island in East Nusa Tenggara, Thursday (11/7).
“An alternative option is that the Komodo island will be designated as a conservation area so that we limit access for tourists by setting a quota and increasing the price, but (the tourists) may still find Komodo in Rinca island,” he added.
This grand design, according to the President, will be discussed in a limited cabinet meeting to ensure an integrated area consisting of Labuan Bajo, Rinca island, Komodo island, and the sea.
According to the President, re-development of the two islands should be well designed, not conducted partially, and must include a plan to connect the airport and other tourist destinations. Infrastructure in the two islands must also be integrated as both islands are part of Komodo National Park, he added.
However, President Jokowi noted that there is no need to make Komodo National Park a Special Economic Zone as long as the area redevelopment is carried out properly, adding that the redevelopment will be completed within a period of two or three years.
“After the airport, the runway and the hotels are ready, the areas should also be ready,” he said.
For the record, Komodo island is a home to 1,700 Komodo dragons – a species of lizard and the largest living species of lizard -, while Rinca island has approximately 1,040 Komodo dragons. The two islands are located in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province. (DND/RAH/ES)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Ersan Pamungkas
