Back in 2020, the Indonesian
government announced its plans to create what it termed as a premium tourist
spot on the island of Rinca, one of three isles included in Komodo National
Park, a preserve for the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest type of lizard. Not
much was thought about this until a photo of a Komodo lizard standing in front
of a truck on Rinca went viral online. Social media dubbed the Indonesian
project a “Jurassic Park” and expressed concerns on its environmental impact.
After some time with no word, an environment official from that country
announced that the project is still on track.
InterAksyon-Philstar reports that the tourism projects being
undertaken by the government of Indonesia in their Komodo National Park island
of Rinca is continuing development. This was revealed this past Thursday,
August 5, by Indonesia’s environment ministry senior official Wiratno. “This
project will proceed… it’s been proven to have no impact,” says Wiratno, in
contrast to concerns by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) that the initiative being dubbed “Jurassic Park” on
social media could have an adverse effect on the park’s wildlife population of
Komodo dragons. Komodo National Park is also a designation UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
A separate pronouncement from
Wiratno clarifies that the tourist project specifically only comprises of
renovation efforts to existing park structures and that the activity does not
negatively impact Rinca’s Komodo lizards, of which about 3,100 in total live in
Indonesia. UNESCO however is insisting on an updated environmental assessment
for the project, which they fear for not just the natural habitat of the world’s
largest lizards but also in the potential for illegal fishing operations just
offshore of the island. Wiratno notes that the government is looking at a new
assessment that could be prepared by September, but will offer no further
clarification on it.
Overseas observers like UNESCO
are not the only ones worrying. Local organization the Indonesian Forum for the
Environment (WALHI) also expressed concerns. Their focus is on the local human
population, many of which have lived on the islands of the national park
alongside the Komodo dragons without significant friction or environmental
impact “We urge the government to develop tourism that’s based on the people,”
says WALHI spokesperson Rima Melani Bilaut. “There are people living there.”
Image courtesy of BBC
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