“There can be tourists because they contribute to local welfare, so there are benefits. However, it must not disrupt the ecology. Therefore, I will now tighten the quota system on Padar,” Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated here on Thursday.
He noted that Padar Island has recently become overcrowded, likening the situation to a marketplace. As a result, the government plans to reduce the number of visitors allowed at any one time.
The quota restriction aims to ensure that tourism in Komodo National Park remains a focused and sustainable ecotourism activity. Excessive tourist presence, the Minister warned, could strain the environmental carrying capacity of the protected area.
“It’s not that visitors are not allowed to come to Padar, but they must queue so that the ecosystem is protected and the habitat preserved,” he explained.
The ministry is also stepping up safety and conservation measures on Padar Island by installing fences and signboards. Coordination with volunteers will be increased to improve safety around popular photo spots.
Regarding the controversial plan to develop tourism facilities within Komodo National Park, the Minister said he would review the proposed construction project by PT Komodo Wildlife Ecotourism.
He assured that if construction proceeds, it will not harm the environment or disrupt the habitat of the Komodo dragon.
Antoni clarified that no construction activity has begun yet, as the process still requires a UNESCO review and a public consultation phase.
Previously, a group of local residents and business owners voiced objections to the plan to build hundreds of villas on Padar Island, expressing concerns about potential environmental damage and its impact on their livelihoods.
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Translator: Prisca, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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