Komodo National Park at a Glance
By: Emilianus Yakob Sese Tolo
This Simple Article is Made For Students of University of Agder, Norway, Will be Doing Research on Komodo National Park in Flores in February of 2009.
I. Introduction
The Komodo National Park is a national park in Indonesia located near the Lesser Sunda Islands in the border region between the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara. The park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, and a total area of 1817 km² (603 km² of it land, and it proposed extension would bring the total surface area up to 2,321 km). The national park was founded in 1980 in order to protect the Komodo dragon. But, not only Komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) which is protected, but all the species inside the National Park are protected now.
However, even the whole park is protected and provides everything nice to be enjoyed, there are some irresponsible people, especially local people living in the Komodo Island, tend to destroy its existence. But, it is difficult to blame local people who mostly disturb the Park because there are no other alternative livelihoods for them. They have been living there for hundred years ago. They really relay on their live to the marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Regarding the marine resources exploitation, there are also immigrant fishermen who destroy it by using destructive fishing catcher like dynamite and cyanide. In this case, government and its people should keep the existence of Komodo National Park by making strict regulation and looking for alternative livelihoods for local people living inside the Komodo Island.
II. The Komodo National Park at a Glance
National Park of Komodo is one of 50 national parks overall Indonesia. It is very famous. Almost every day, there will always be visitors both foreigner and domestic. They come here not only for seeing an exciting ancient animal Komodo dragon, but also enjoy its environmental which is really exotic and fantastic. The panorama is really unique. And because of its uniqueness, most of visited tourists said that Komodo National Park has its own world. It is beautiful and totally different with other places all over the world.
As a national park, Komodo National park is really well-known. Most of foreigner tourists who come to Indonesia mostly choose Komodo National park as one of their destinations. And in the year of 1986, it was declared as World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reverse by UNESCO, and since that time Komodo National Park was known more internationally.
2.1. The History of the Park
Komodo national park has its own history. In1911, Komodo dragon was found by JKH Van Steyn. In1912, Komodo dragon was named Varanus Komodoensis by PA. Owens. In 1912, Bima’s King promulgated the decision letter for take care the Komodo dragon. In1938, Flores Residence promulgated the decision for forming wildlife preservation at Rinca Island, Padar Island, in1965 for Komodo Island.
On 6th March of 1980, Agriculture Minister appointed Komodo Island, Padar Island, dan Rinca Island as Komodo National Park (SK, No 306/kpts-II/95). In 1986, UNESCO appointed Komodo National Park as Man and Biosphere Reserve. In1991, UNESCO appointed Komodo National Park as World Heritage Site. In1992, Komodo was appointed by Indonesian President as a national symbol. In 1992, Komoodo Island, Rinca Island, and Padar Island as wildlife preservation ware changed to be Komodo National Park. In 2000, Komodo National Park was appointed by see Ministry as a place for natural perpetuation with its wide 132.572 ha. In 2006, out of 50 national parks In Indonesia, Komodo was included as model national parks with the other 19 National Parks in Indonesia.
Since 1995, the national park authority has been supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), an American environmental organization. A new management plan was co-authored with TNC and implemented in 2000 to address the problem of increasing resource exploitation, both marine and terrestrial. Most pressure on marine resources originates from fishing communities and commercial enterprises from outside the park. However, regulations and restrictions on resource use impact mostly on park residents, who have few options to make a living but rely on what the park has to offer. The provision of alternative livelihoods is part of the overall management strategy, but communities within the park are yet to benefit from appropriate measures addressing their needs.
2.2. The potentiality of the park
2.2.1. Terrestrial Potentiality
Komodo National Park has very nice view to be enjoyed. The land is very dry. The temperature is in average around 17 degrees Celsius up 34 degrees Celsius. The dry session start from April to October and rainy session is from November till March. The average of rainfall is 200-1500 mm per year. This temperature is very suitable for Komodo dragon.
Topographically, the Park is full of steep hills and valleys. The steepness could reach 80% and its high could be 0-735 meters. There are 11 mountains inside the national park. The highest mountain is Satalibo Mountain with its high 735 meters located in Komodo Island. There is another mountain, Ora Mountain; located in Rinca Island. Its high is 667 meters. Besides 3 big Island, there are 26 small Islands inside the Park.
Most of the Park land is dry savanna. The supply of water is limited. However, this condition is a good place for ancient reptile, Komodo dragon. The wide of savanna could reach 70% of the Park. In this place there are some unique plats like Setaria adhaerens, Chloris barbata, Heteropogon contortus, Themeda gigantea and Themeda gradiosa. Between these kinds of plants, there are some fan palm trees (Borassus flobellifer). And 25% of the park (above 500 meters) is tropical forest. There are some typical trees exist in this forest like Kesambi (Schleichera oleosa), Asem (Tamarindus indica), Kepuh (Sterculia foetida).
In the top of the hills there are some typical plants like Collophyllum spectobile, Colona kostermansiana, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Ficus urupaceae, Mischarpus sundaicus, Podocarpus netrifolia, Teminalia zollingeri, Uvaria ruva, rattan (Callamus sp.), bamboo (Bambusa sp).
In this park, there are 105 kinds of mammal like Timor deer, (Cervus timorensis), forest dog (Cuon alpinus), forest pig (Sus scrofa), long tail monkey (Macaca fascicularis), wild horse (Equus caballus) dan wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalus), civet cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Rinca big rat (Ratus ritjanus), and bat (Cynopterus brachyotis and Pteropsis sp.)
There are 111 kinds of birds like burung gosong (Megapodius reinwardti), kakatua jambul kuning (Cacatua sulphurea), turtle-dove (Geopelia striata), tekukur (Streptopelia chinensis), green large pigeon (Ducula aenea), Philemon buceroides, burung raja udang (Halcyon capensis), dan burung kacamata laut (Zosterops chloris).
There are 34 kinds of reptiles like Komodo dragon, cobra (Naja naja), ular russel (Viperia russeli), ular pohon hijau (Trimeresurus albolabris), python (Python sp.), ular laut (Laticauda colubrina), lizard (Scinidae, Dibamidae, and Varanidae), big-house lizard (Gekko sp.), turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and green turtle (Chelonia mydas).
Most of the National Park is savanna with some fan palm trees. Here, you can find the plants like rattan, bamboos, sour trees, ziziphus jujuba, sterculia foetida, and mangrove.
2.2.2. Marine Potentiality
Komodo National Park also has very rich marine potentiality. Because of this potentiality, many tourists came to this park to enjoy and see its beauty. Besides, many scholars also came here to conduct their research not only on Komodo but also on marine potentiality. So, this place has been like an area which is really attractive for many people.
In this National Park, you do not only find Komodo dragon, but the other beautiful and unique marine species. This Park is one of the richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. Dugong, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles also make Komodo National Park their home.
2.3. The existence of the Park
2.3.1. Threats from Local People Living in Komodo Island
The existence of this Park is threatened now. Many people come into the Park taking some natural resources for defending their live. Even, government already made strict regulation on the Park Management. Some of these people were already caught by the police. But the others are not discouraged yet. They still break the Park rules. Maybe, they do like that because of limited alternative livelihoods. Local government only applied the strict regulation but never look for alternative livelihoods for the local people living inside the park.
Most of the people living inside the Park are fisherman. That is why; their livelihood is to catch the fish and other marine potentiality. And based on the regulation of the Park, local fisherman could catch the fish inside the national park but not use fishing net or dynamite. They should only use the hook or fishing rod. If they do not follow these rules, they will be punished. Not only punishment, some fishermen have been died inside of the Park since 1980 shoot by polices.
To be brief, the threats to terrestrial biodiversity include the increasing pressure on forest cover and water resources as the local human population have increased 800% over the past 60 years. In addition, the Timor deer population, the preferred prey source for the endangered Komodo dragon, is still being poached. Destructive fishing practices such as dynamite-, cyanide, and compressor fishing severely threaten the Park's marine resources by destroying both the habitat (coral reefs) and the resource itself (fish and invertebrate stocks). The present situation in the Park is characterized by reduced but continuing destructive fishing practices primarily by immigrant fishers, and high pressure on stocks like lobsters, shellfish, groupers and napoleon wrasse. Pollution inputs, ranging from raw sewage to chemicals, are increasing and may pose a major threat in the future.
2.3.2. Threats from Immigrant Fishermen
As said before that most of marine biodiversity are threaten by immigrant fishermen. They come by a big ship to this place and take the marine potentiality of the Park. The local fishermen do not forbid these immigrant fishermen. Maybe, they are also break the same rules or maybe because they are just simple and poor fishermen who have no power to forbid immigrant fishermen. That is why; they let the immigrant exploit their marine potentiality.
Usually, immigrant fishermen come to the Park with good sea equipments like big ship, fishing net and dynamite. By these good see equipments, they could catch more fish and also destroy more the park. Sometimes, polices shoot them because of doing that. And police said that we forcedly shoot them because they try to against us.
On 10th November 2002, Polices shoot 2 Bima’s fishermen, Iye (25) and Zainun (35), on their boat and the other14 fishermen were beaten by polices. They were treated like that because they steal the fish and when police try to catch them, they try to against the police and escape themselves. Actually, the problem like this is not only happened once. Since 1980, there are 13 fishermen dying shoot by polices.
III. The Komodo National Park and Its Management
3.1. Government Management and International NGOs of the Park
Central government and local government really concern with this Park. That is why; they always keep and maintain it well. There are some offices become in charge of this national park. Today, the PKA Balai Taman Nasional Komodo and PT. Putri Naga Komodo are working together to protect the Park's vast resources. Their goals are to protect the Park's biodiversity (both marine and terrestrial) and the breeding stocks of commercial fishes for replenishment of surrounding fishing grounds. The main challenge is to reduce both threats to the resources and conflicts between incompatible activities. Both parties have a long term commitment to protecting the marine biodiversity of Komodo National Park.
Since 1995, according to the decision of forestry department and agriculture department No. 172/Kepts-II/2000, government began to build cooperation with The Nature Conservation (TNC) in increasing monitoring and management of the Park ecosystem. And then, Balai Taman Nasional Komodo sat together arranging the program of maintaining the Park in other to scare away people who want to disturb the Park’s ecosystem. And since that time, the monitoring of the Park has been getting strict.
However, the strictness of the regulation has its own weaknesses. Komodo National is getting dangerous for both local community and illegal fishermen. It is guarded by military and police. That is why; before catching the fish inside of the Park, fishermen should get permit from Komodo National Park office at Loh Liang in Komodo Island. And also, there is a PERDA (local rule) No 11, 2001 says that fishermen could go inside the Park for catching fish with hooks and fishing rod only.
Regarding the monitoring of the Park, military and police use repressive approach. The impact of this approach is that some of fishermen were shoot and getting lost inside the national Park. One of the proofs is like I already said before that two fishermen were killed by Park guardian. This approach becomes big weakness of the government and NGO monitoring of the Park. The aim of the program is good, but the implementation of the program is not really good. Maybe, the Park guardians have the principle of “the ends justify the means”. It should be improve, if not the bigger problem will come up.
3.2. Local People Management of the Park
The system of Park managements does not really include local people living inside the Park. Local people become like a watcher of Park management. This has been causing conflict between park management, TNC and local communities. And local community is always being in the loser side. The concession for TNC also has generated an ongoing controversy. The joint venture has been accused of making decisions behind closed doors, and many people in and around Komodo claim that they haven’t been consulted regarding decisions that ultimately affect their lives.
Most of fishermen do not know about the Park regulation and the expanding size of the Park because of no or lack socialization and local people are not participated in Park management by government. And, and they also do not know about the PERDA (local law) No. 11, 2001. Besides, they are not participated in making the park regulation in which, at least, they could discuss about the rules that will be implemented.
Socializing and participation of local community is really important. The fact is that there are more less 3.000 people living inside the park. They have been living there since hundred years ago. And their livelihood is on marine potentially only. That is why; if all the Park managements do not include local community, it will be a big problem because most of local people do not seriously accept the government programs on Park management.
The fact is that government people does not include local people in Park management. Government says that in managing the park, they use participative approach. They expose it to outside community. But, the true fact in the field is totally different. Government always uses the repressive approach. Many fishermen were killed and most of the local people are getting poor because of the rules of the park management.
3.2. The Park as Tourism Place
The main tourism object in Komodo National Park is Komodo dragon. But, this park also provides many other tourisms objects. They are really beautiful and that is why; many tourists come here not only to see the ancient big reptile but also to enjoy the marine beauty. The visitors could do nice activities like fishing, snorkeling, diving, and canoeing. In the land, the visitors could see the unique animals, hiking, and camping.
There are some tourism places in Komodo National Park:
1. Loh Liang
This tourism place is organized by PT. Putri Naga Komodo. The activities that you could do here are: see the Komodo dragon, Timor deer, forest pig, birds, and play canoe.
2. Pantai Merah (literaly: red beach)
In this place, visitors could snorkel and do sun bathing. The see is really shallow and it is good for doing snorkeling.
3. Loh Sebita
In this place, you can enjoy beautiful birds and do tracking.
4. Loh Buaya
This tourism place is organized by PT. Putri Naga Komodo (PT. PNK). The activities that you can do here are: see Komodo dragon, Timor deer, buffalo, birds, long tail monkey, wild horse, and play canoe.
4. Pulau Kalong (literally: bat island)
In this place, visitors could see bats in big amounts, but in the afternoon only when the bats go out for looking for the food in the other Islands.
5. Golo Kode
In this place, visitors could enjoy the beautiful panorama and fantastic landscape.
6. Selat Molo (molo strait)
In this strait the current is really strong like the flood in the river.
7. There are 36 dive sites inside the Park. And the most visited place by foreign tourists for diving and snorkeling are:
Pantai Merah.
Gililawa Laut.
Loh Dasami.
Pillar Steen.
Batu Bolong.
Taka Makasar.
3.2.2. Contribution to the Future of Komodo National
Every visitors of this park should pay admission money as a contribution. This contribution will go for the conservation (monitoring, rehabilitation, research and facilitating surveillance), community development (alternative livelihoods, training and capacity building, micro-financing, improvement of public services and a broad range of health and education initiatives), eco-tourism (reconstruction of jetties, information centre, restaurants, observation points and mooring buoys), and international destination marketing and promotion.
Government said that the contribution is an investment not only in the future of the Park but in the lives of the communities who live there. Is it true? We do not know. However, even many visitors come to the Park, but local communities are still being poor.
The amount of Contribution to Conservation Fund depends on the length of stay in Komodo National Park. For the period January 2007 – December 2007, contributions per visitor are as follows.
1. Foreigner Visitors
a. 1-3 days : US$ 15
b. 4-8 days : US$ 25
c. 9-15 days : US$ 35
d. 16 day or more : US$ 45
2. East Nusa Tenggara Resident : Rp. 10. 000
3. Indonesian Student : Rp. 1. 000
A 50 percent discount will be granted for foreign visitors aged below 16 years.
Contributions are payable in US$ but the Indonesia Rupiah is equivalent at the prevailing rate. Visitors will receive an entrance ticket that remains valid for one visit. The Contribution to Conservation Fund was launched in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai and Denpasar, Bali on April 20 and April 21, respectively. The events were officiated and approved by The Head of West Manggarai Regency Drs. Fidelis Pranda and The Head of Komodo National Park Authority Ir. Indra Arinal.
In addition to the Contribution to Conservation Fund, visitors to the Park must also pay a National Park Entrance Fee (Ministry of Forestry Decree No. 363/Kpts-II/1997 and No. 878/Kpts-II/1992) and a West Manggarai Compensation Fee (West Manggarai Decree No. 22 Year 2005 concerning Entrance Fee Compensation for Tourism Objects in West Manggarai Regency).
1. Foreign Visitors
a). 1-3 days: Rp. 20.000 for entrance fee
b). 1-3 days: Rp. 20.000 for West Manngarai compensation fee
2. Domestic Visitors
a). 1-3 days: Rp. 2.000 for entrance fee
b). 1-3 days: Rp. 10.000 for West Manngarai compensation fee
IV. Conclusion
Komodo national park is really famous. Almost every day, visitors come to the park for enjoy its beauty. For keep the interest of visitors, government really maintains the existence of the Park. The monitoring is getting strict every day. What has been done by government is good. But, the problem is that local government does not include local people in the park management. Therefore, there is a conflict in managing the Park between local people and government.
The existence of Komodo National Park makes local people living inside the park more suffer than before. They could not freely catch the fish and other marine potentialities. They are getting poor. They are suffering. They are crying seeing and watching foreigner mad visitors laughing and enjoying the beauty of their world, the world that makes them happy before. They need somebody to help, to cheer them up, stop their crying and make them laughing. Maybe, Norwegian students could do that. Who knows?
This Simple Article is Made For Students of University of Agder, Norway, Will be Doing Research on Komodo National Park in Flores in February of 2009.
I. Introduction
The Komodo National Park is a national park in Indonesia located near the Lesser Sunda Islands in the border region between the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara. The park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, and a total area of 1817 km² (603 km² of it land, and it proposed extension would bring the total surface area up to 2,321 km). The national park was founded in 1980 in order to protect the Komodo dragon. But, not only Komodo dragon (varanus komodoensis) which is protected, but all the species inside the National Park are protected now.
However, even the whole park is protected and provides everything nice to be enjoyed, there are some irresponsible people, especially local people living in the Komodo Island, tend to destroy its existence. But, it is difficult to blame local people who mostly disturb the Park because there are no other alternative livelihoods for them. They have been living there for hundred years ago. They really relay on their live to the marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Regarding the marine resources exploitation, there are also immigrant fishermen who destroy it by using destructive fishing catcher like dynamite and cyanide. In this case, government and its people should keep the existence of Komodo National Park by making strict regulation and looking for alternative livelihoods for local people living inside the Komodo Island.
II. The Komodo National Park at a Glance
National Park of Komodo is one of 50 national parks overall Indonesia. It is very famous. Almost every day, there will always be visitors both foreigner and domestic. They come here not only for seeing an exciting ancient animal Komodo dragon, but also enjoy its environmental which is really exotic and fantastic. The panorama is really unique. And because of its uniqueness, most of visited tourists said that Komodo National Park has its own world. It is beautiful and totally different with other places all over the world.
As a national park, Komodo National park is really well-known. Most of foreigner tourists who come to Indonesia mostly choose Komodo National park as one of their destinations. And in the year of 1986, it was declared as World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reverse by UNESCO, and since that time Komodo National Park was known more internationally.
2.1. The History of the Park
Komodo national park has its own history. In1911, Komodo dragon was found by JKH Van Steyn. In1912, Komodo dragon was named Varanus Komodoensis by PA. Owens. In 1912, Bima’s King promulgated the decision letter for take care the Komodo dragon. In1938, Flores Residence promulgated the decision for forming wildlife preservation at Rinca Island, Padar Island, in1965 for Komodo Island.
On 6th March of 1980, Agriculture Minister appointed Komodo Island, Padar Island, dan Rinca Island as Komodo National Park (SK, No 306/kpts-II/95). In 1986, UNESCO appointed Komodo National Park as Man and Biosphere Reserve. In1991, UNESCO appointed Komodo National Park as World Heritage Site. In1992, Komodo was appointed by Indonesian President as a national symbol. In 1992, Komoodo Island, Rinca Island, and Padar Island as wildlife preservation ware changed to be Komodo National Park. In 2000, Komodo National Park was appointed by see Ministry as a place for natural perpetuation with its wide 132.572 ha. In 2006, out of 50 national parks In Indonesia, Komodo was included as model national parks with the other 19 National Parks in Indonesia.
Since 1995, the national park authority has been supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), an American environmental organization. A new management plan was co-authored with TNC and implemented in 2000 to address the problem of increasing resource exploitation, both marine and terrestrial. Most pressure on marine resources originates from fishing communities and commercial enterprises from outside the park. However, regulations and restrictions on resource use impact mostly on park residents, who have few options to make a living but rely on what the park has to offer. The provision of alternative livelihoods is part of the overall management strategy, but communities within the park are yet to benefit from appropriate measures addressing their needs.
2.2. The potentiality of the park
2.2.1. Terrestrial Potentiality
Komodo National Park has very nice view to be enjoyed. The land is very dry. The temperature is in average around 17 degrees Celsius up 34 degrees Celsius. The dry session start from April to October and rainy session is from November till March. The average of rainfall is 200-1500 mm per year. This temperature is very suitable for Komodo dragon.
Topographically, the Park is full of steep hills and valleys. The steepness could reach 80% and its high could be 0-735 meters. There are 11 mountains inside the national park. The highest mountain is Satalibo Mountain with its high 735 meters located in Komodo Island. There is another mountain, Ora Mountain; located in Rinca Island. Its high is 667 meters. Besides 3 big Island, there are 26 small Islands inside the Park.
Most of the Park land is dry savanna. The supply of water is limited. However, this condition is a good place for ancient reptile, Komodo dragon. The wide of savanna could reach 70% of the Park. In this place there are some unique plats like Setaria adhaerens, Chloris barbata, Heteropogon contortus, Themeda gigantea and Themeda gradiosa. Between these kinds of plants, there are some fan palm trees (Borassus flobellifer). And 25% of the park (above 500 meters) is tropical forest. There are some typical trees exist in this forest like Kesambi (Schleichera oleosa), Asem (Tamarindus indica), Kepuh (Sterculia foetida).
In the top of the hills there are some typical plants like Collophyllum spectobile, Colona kostermansiana, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Ficus urupaceae, Mischarpus sundaicus, Podocarpus netrifolia, Teminalia zollingeri, Uvaria ruva, rattan (Callamus sp.), bamboo (Bambusa sp).
In this park, there are 105 kinds of mammal like Timor deer, (Cervus timorensis), forest dog (Cuon alpinus), forest pig (Sus scrofa), long tail monkey (Macaca fascicularis), wild horse (Equus caballus) dan wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalus), civet cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Rinca big rat (Ratus ritjanus), and bat (Cynopterus brachyotis and Pteropsis sp.)
There are 111 kinds of birds like burung gosong (Megapodius reinwardti), kakatua jambul kuning (Cacatua sulphurea), turtle-dove (Geopelia striata), tekukur (Streptopelia chinensis), green large pigeon (Ducula aenea), Philemon buceroides, burung raja udang (Halcyon capensis), dan burung kacamata laut (Zosterops chloris).
There are 34 kinds of reptiles like Komodo dragon, cobra (Naja naja), ular russel (Viperia russeli), ular pohon hijau (Trimeresurus albolabris), python (Python sp.), ular laut (Laticauda colubrina), lizard (Scinidae, Dibamidae, and Varanidae), big-house lizard (Gekko sp.), turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and green turtle (Chelonia mydas).
Most of the National Park is savanna with some fan palm trees. Here, you can find the plants like rattan, bamboos, sour trees, ziziphus jujuba, sterculia foetida, and mangrove.
2.2.2. Marine Potentiality
Komodo National Park also has very rich marine potentiality. Because of this potentiality, many tourists came to this park to enjoy and see its beauty. Besides, many scholars also came here to conduct their research not only on Komodo but also on marine potentiality. So, this place has been like an area which is really attractive for many people.
In this National Park, you do not only find Komodo dragon, but the other beautiful and unique marine species. This Park is one of the richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. Dugong, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles also make Komodo National Park their home.
2.3. The existence of the Park
2.3.1. Threats from Local People Living in Komodo Island
The existence of this Park is threatened now. Many people come into the Park taking some natural resources for defending their live. Even, government already made strict regulation on the Park Management. Some of these people were already caught by the police. But the others are not discouraged yet. They still break the Park rules. Maybe, they do like that because of limited alternative livelihoods. Local government only applied the strict regulation but never look for alternative livelihoods for the local people living inside the park.
Most of the people living inside the Park are fisherman. That is why; their livelihood is to catch the fish and other marine potentiality. And based on the regulation of the Park, local fisherman could catch the fish inside the national park but not use fishing net or dynamite. They should only use the hook or fishing rod. If they do not follow these rules, they will be punished. Not only punishment, some fishermen have been died inside of the Park since 1980 shoot by polices.
To be brief, the threats to terrestrial biodiversity include the increasing pressure on forest cover and water resources as the local human population have increased 800% over the past 60 years. In addition, the Timor deer population, the preferred prey source for the endangered Komodo dragon, is still being poached. Destructive fishing practices such as dynamite-, cyanide, and compressor fishing severely threaten the Park's marine resources by destroying both the habitat (coral reefs) and the resource itself (fish and invertebrate stocks). The present situation in the Park is characterized by reduced but continuing destructive fishing practices primarily by immigrant fishers, and high pressure on stocks like lobsters, shellfish, groupers and napoleon wrasse. Pollution inputs, ranging from raw sewage to chemicals, are increasing and may pose a major threat in the future.
2.3.2. Threats from Immigrant Fishermen
As said before that most of marine biodiversity are threaten by immigrant fishermen. They come by a big ship to this place and take the marine potentiality of the Park. The local fishermen do not forbid these immigrant fishermen. Maybe, they are also break the same rules or maybe because they are just simple and poor fishermen who have no power to forbid immigrant fishermen. That is why; they let the immigrant exploit their marine potentiality.
Usually, immigrant fishermen come to the Park with good sea equipments like big ship, fishing net and dynamite. By these good see equipments, they could catch more fish and also destroy more the park. Sometimes, polices shoot them because of doing that. And police said that we forcedly shoot them because they try to against us.
On 10th November 2002, Polices shoot 2 Bima’s fishermen, Iye (25) and Zainun (35), on their boat and the other14 fishermen were beaten by polices. They were treated like that because they steal the fish and when police try to catch them, they try to against the police and escape themselves. Actually, the problem like this is not only happened once. Since 1980, there are 13 fishermen dying shoot by polices.
III. The Komodo National Park and Its Management
3.1. Government Management and International NGOs of the Park
Central government and local government really concern with this Park. That is why; they always keep and maintain it well. There are some offices become in charge of this national park. Today, the PKA Balai Taman Nasional Komodo and PT. Putri Naga Komodo are working together to protect the Park's vast resources. Their goals are to protect the Park's biodiversity (both marine and terrestrial) and the breeding stocks of commercial fishes for replenishment of surrounding fishing grounds. The main challenge is to reduce both threats to the resources and conflicts between incompatible activities. Both parties have a long term commitment to protecting the marine biodiversity of Komodo National Park.
Since 1995, according to the decision of forestry department and agriculture department No. 172/Kepts-II/2000, government began to build cooperation with The Nature Conservation (TNC) in increasing monitoring and management of the Park ecosystem. And then, Balai Taman Nasional Komodo sat together arranging the program of maintaining the Park in other to scare away people who want to disturb the Park’s ecosystem. And since that time, the monitoring of the Park has been getting strict.
However, the strictness of the regulation has its own weaknesses. Komodo National is getting dangerous for both local community and illegal fishermen. It is guarded by military and police. That is why; before catching the fish inside of the Park, fishermen should get permit from Komodo National Park office at Loh Liang in Komodo Island. And also, there is a PERDA (local rule) No 11, 2001 says that fishermen could go inside the Park for catching fish with hooks and fishing rod only.
Regarding the monitoring of the Park, military and police use repressive approach. The impact of this approach is that some of fishermen were shoot and getting lost inside the national Park. One of the proofs is like I already said before that two fishermen were killed by Park guardian. This approach becomes big weakness of the government and NGO monitoring of the Park. The aim of the program is good, but the implementation of the program is not really good. Maybe, the Park guardians have the principle of “the ends justify the means”. It should be improve, if not the bigger problem will come up.
3.2. Local People Management of the Park
The system of Park managements does not really include local people living inside the Park. Local people become like a watcher of Park management. This has been causing conflict between park management, TNC and local communities. And local community is always being in the loser side. The concession for TNC also has generated an ongoing controversy. The joint venture has been accused of making decisions behind closed doors, and many people in and around Komodo claim that they haven’t been consulted regarding decisions that ultimately affect their lives.
Most of fishermen do not know about the Park regulation and the expanding size of the Park because of no or lack socialization and local people are not participated in Park management by government. And, and they also do not know about the PERDA (local law) No. 11, 2001. Besides, they are not participated in making the park regulation in which, at least, they could discuss about the rules that will be implemented.
Socializing and participation of local community is really important. The fact is that there are more less 3.000 people living inside the park. They have been living there since hundred years ago. And their livelihood is on marine potentially only. That is why; if all the Park managements do not include local community, it will be a big problem because most of local people do not seriously accept the government programs on Park management.
The fact is that government people does not include local people in Park management. Government says that in managing the park, they use participative approach. They expose it to outside community. But, the true fact in the field is totally different. Government always uses the repressive approach. Many fishermen were killed and most of the local people are getting poor because of the rules of the park management.
3.2. The Park as Tourism Place
The main tourism object in Komodo National Park is Komodo dragon. But, this park also provides many other tourisms objects. They are really beautiful and that is why; many tourists come here not only to see the ancient big reptile but also to enjoy the marine beauty. The visitors could do nice activities like fishing, snorkeling, diving, and canoeing. In the land, the visitors could see the unique animals, hiking, and camping.
There are some tourism places in Komodo National Park:
1. Loh Liang
This tourism place is organized by PT. Putri Naga Komodo. The activities that you could do here are: see the Komodo dragon, Timor deer, forest pig, birds, and play canoe.
2. Pantai Merah (literaly: red beach)
In this place, visitors could snorkel and do sun bathing. The see is really shallow and it is good for doing snorkeling.
3. Loh Sebita
In this place, you can enjoy beautiful birds and do tracking.
4. Loh Buaya
This tourism place is organized by PT. Putri Naga Komodo (PT. PNK). The activities that you can do here are: see Komodo dragon, Timor deer, buffalo, birds, long tail monkey, wild horse, and play canoe.
4. Pulau Kalong (literally: bat island)
In this place, visitors could see bats in big amounts, but in the afternoon only when the bats go out for looking for the food in the other Islands.
5. Golo Kode
In this place, visitors could enjoy the beautiful panorama and fantastic landscape.
6. Selat Molo (molo strait)
In this strait the current is really strong like the flood in the river.
7. There are 36 dive sites inside the Park. And the most visited place by foreign tourists for diving and snorkeling are:
Pantai Merah.
Gililawa Laut.
Loh Dasami.
Pillar Steen.
Batu Bolong.
Taka Makasar.
3.2.2. Contribution to the Future of Komodo National
Every visitors of this park should pay admission money as a contribution. This contribution will go for the conservation (monitoring, rehabilitation, research and facilitating surveillance), community development (alternative livelihoods, training and capacity building, micro-financing, improvement of public services and a broad range of health and education initiatives), eco-tourism (reconstruction of jetties, information centre, restaurants, observation points and mooring buoys), and international destination marketing and promotion.
Government said that the contribution is an investment not only in the future of the Park but in the lives of the communities who live there. Is it true? We do not know. However, even many visitors come to the Park, but local communities are still being poor.
The amount of Contribution to Conservation Fund depends on the length of stay in Komodo National Park. For the period January 2007 – December 2007, contributions per visitor are as follows.
1. Foreigner Visitors
a. 1-3 days : US$ 15
b. 4-8 days : US$ 25
c. 9-15 days : US$ 35
d. 16 day or more : US$ 45
2. East Nusa Tenggara Resident : Rp. 10. 000
3. Indonesian Student : Rp. 1. 000
A 50 percent discount will be granted for foreign visitors aged below 16 years.
Contributions are payable in US$ but the Indonesia Rupiah is equivalent at the prevailing rate. Visitors will receive an entrance ticket that remains valid for one visit. The Contribution to Conservation Fund was launched in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai and Denpasar, Bali on April 20 and April 21, respectively. The events were officiated and approved by The Head of West Manggarai Regency Drs. Fidelis Pranda and The Head of Komodo National Park Authority Ir. Indra Arinal.
In addition to the Contribution to Conservation Fund, visitors to the Park must also pay a National Park Entrance Fee (Ministry of Forestry Decree No. 363/Kpts-II/1997 and No. 878/Kpts-II/1992) and a West Manggarai Compensation Fee (West Manggarai Decree No. 22 Year 2005 concerning Entrance Fee Compensation for Tourism Objects in West Manggarai Regency).
1. Foreign Visitors
a). 1-3 days: Rp. 20.000 for entrance fee
b). 1-3 days: Rp. 20.000 for West Manngarai compensation fee
2. Domestic Visitors
a). 1-3 days: Rp. 2.000 for entrance fee
b). 1-3 days: Rp. 10.000 for West Manngarai compensation fee
IV. Conclusion
Komodo national park is really famous. Almost every day, visitors come to the park for enjoy its beauty. For keep the interest of visitors, government really maintains the existence of the Park. The monitoring is getting strict every day. What has been done by government is good. But, the problem is that local government does not include local people in the park management. Therefore, there is a conflict in managing the Park between local people and government.
The existence of Komodo National Park makes local people living inside the park more suffer than before. They could not freely catch the fish and other marine potentialities. They are getting poor. They are suffering. They are crying seeing and watching foreigner mad visitors laughing and enjoying the beauty of their world, the world that makes them happy before. They need somebody to help, to cheer them up, stop their crying and make them laughing. Maybe, Norwegian students could do that. Who knows?
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