Tourism up but no threat to Komodo National Park<\/p>\n
KOMODO NATIONAL PARK (JP): Visiting the Komodo National Park
\non your holidays may not be the first thing on your agenda,
\nunless you're a giant lizard lover.<\/p>\n
The site offers no commercial tourist attractions, only
\noccasional glances of eagles, storks, herons, dolphins or
\nturtles. There is no shopping center to stroll around, only
\nbarren, heat-torched terrain with its peculiar flora. There is no
\nnight-life, only the stars' celestial display, or the glow of
\nmoonlight. If you're patient, you might see some falling stars.<\/p>\n
And you naturally have to get up early to enjoy the breaking
\nof the dawn -- if the sky is not overcast. To some, this is value
\nin itself, \"Greeting the sun is one way of praising the
\nAlmighty,\" says H.S. Dillon, an expert staff member at the
\nMinistry of Agriculture.<\/p>\n
In short, the vast, splendiferous beauty of the park will
\nattract only those with a liking for outdoor activities, and the
\nsolitary companionship of nature's grandeur.<\/p>\n
The Komodo National Park, therefore need not fret about the
\nrepercussions of tourism, because most visitors are generally
\nconcerned with conserving nature, and mass tourism will never
\nflourish here.<\/p>\n
\"I have witnessed an increase in the flux of people visiting
\nthis place, and it will continue to do so,\" says Condo Subagyo,
\nAssistant Field Representative of The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
\nKomodo Field Office.<\/p>\n
The Park's serene atmosphere has changed dramatically, since
\nadvertising efforts have started to cater to the reach of certain
\ngroups of people, namely nature lovers and conservationists.<\/p>\n
Last year, the total number of tourists to the Park was close
\nto 30,000, mostly visitors from European countries.<\/p>\n
The growth of visitors is around 10 to 20 percent a year, 15
\npercent of which visit Rinca, while the majority go to Komodo
\nIsland.<\/p>\n
Generally, tourists enter the Komodo National Park via Flores
\n(15 percent), Sumbawa (39 percent), Lombok (16 percent) and Bali
\n(10 percent), with a further 20 percent unspecified.<\/p>\n
\"The best way to promote this place is to specifically tell
\npeople what they can and can not expect,\" Shanti L.
\nPoesposoetjipto, Managing Director of PT NVDP Soedarpo
\nCorporation, leisurely said in a conversation during the trip to
\nKomodo Island.<\/p>\n
A member of the TNC Board of Advisors, and a nature
\nconservationist, Shanti was inspired to write the following
\nimpression to promote eco-tourism in the area.<\/p>\n
\"The serene atmosphere and the beauty of the coral reefs make
\nme feel relaxed and at peace. This is the world and environment I
\nwant my grandchildren to have in their lives, as they grow
\nolder.\"<\/p>\n
The Park's tour guides observe different kinds of visitors.<\/p>\n
\"Some come directly to Loh Liang, and leave after they have
\nseen the dragon,\" Condo said, referring to the site where Komodo
\ndragons abound.<\/p>\n
\"There are others who compensate their long journey by
\nrelishing the glorious surroundings on board,\" (the ship),
\nAmiruddin, another tour guide said.<\/p>\n
Amiruddin was referring to chartered voyages which traverse
\nthe vast area of the park on traditional boats, departing from
\nBima, Labuan Bajo or Denpasar.<\/p>\n
\"These are the sort of people who get the most out of their
\ntrip, because they find and enjoy what they look for,\" Amiruddin
\nsaid, referring to possible activities such as hiking, swimming,
\nsnorkling, diving or fishing.<\/p>\n
Many visitors opt for a dip in the ocean, to cool the body
\nfollowing humid hikes. There are numerous snorkling and diving
\nsites to buoys which serve to soothe fascination with the rich
\nand abundant sea life.<\/p>\n
Pantai Merah, (red beach), is the most popular snorkeling
\nsite. With excellent visibility, one can swim with trout, rabbit
\nfish, scorpion fish and beautifully striped sweetlips gathering
\naround gorgeously colored coral.<\/p>\n
Rili Djohani, Regional and Marine Conservation Assistant
\nDirector, rates 70 percent of the coral reefs' habitat in the
\nIslands' surrounds as being in good condition.<\/p>\n
\"The coral reefs' exploitation is not as rampant here as it is
\nelsewhere in the Country,\" Rili added, saying most fishermen
\nearned their entire living from the sea.<\/p>\n
According to Rili, TNC has been conducting eye-opening
\nsessions with the local people, concerning the irreversible
\ndamage caused when coral reef habitats are destroyed.<\/p>\n
\"Since the trading of coral reefs is not in their traditions,
\nit is not difficult to communicate the idea of conservation to
\nthem,\" Rili said.<\/p>\n
TNC is also seeking means, through dialogue, to discover
\nlocal's needs, and how TNC can assist, through transfer of
\nknowledge, in raising the people's standards of living.<\/p>\n
Beginning next January, TNC will draft a 25-year Assisted
\nDevelopmental Plan in the Komodo National Park and its
\nsurrounding areas.<\/p>\n
The leading option of developing eco-tourism in the area
\nincorporates the development of marine eco-tourism, with a
\ntraining component for local people, such as the development of a
\nsmall-scale diving operation, in cooperation with the PHPA Forest
\nConcessionaire Cooperative, and the local Tourism Office.<\/p>\n
Working together with related agencies, The Nature Conservancy
\nis proposing the second phase of the project include a large
\nscale \"eco-lodge\" for marine tourism, which would involve the
\nprivate sector.<\/p>\n
The term eco-lodge can be better understood in the context of
\nlow-profile, small-scale resorts for visitors, a concept similar
\nto that of homestay.<\/p>\n
Villagers of Kampung Komodo have expressed their interest in
\nbecoming part of the eco-lodge program, to boost their income.<\/p>\n
Currently the Park manages 12 rooms, in four bungalows, for
\nvisitors to stay in on Rinca Island. As visitors are not allowed
\nto camp in the Komodo National Park, the Rinca bungalows are a
\nperfect choice for those who wish to get closer to the natural
\nsurrounds.<\/p>\n
\"People who have stayed here say they feel close to nature
\nbecause they are isolated from the rest of the world,\" a Park
\nranger explained. (06)<\/p>",
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