Managing Komodo park

I have had the privilege of visiting Komodo National Park a number of times over the last few years and I consider it an unequalled gem of the archipelago. The park is managed jointly by the Balai Taman Nasional Komodo and The Nature Conservancy, the latter an international organization. Non-Indonesian visitors pay a very modest fee of Rp 20,000 to enter this World Heritage Site.

As of last August, however, non-Indonesian visitors of the National Park are required to pay a Rp 25,000 surcharge to bring in a camera and Rp 100,000 for a videocamera.

When I asked why the park didn't simply raise the entrance fee instead, I was informed that the surcharges were an initiative of regional authorities and not of the joint park management.

These camera surcharges noticeably exceed the amount of the entrance fee, and the funds raised from the two separate charges seem to go to different destinations.

This is not a question of money. I wouldn't mind paying more than the current entrance fee, but only if the money goes to a single destination: the joint park management, who are working together to protect the park's unique resources and biodiversity.

I certainly don't begrudge the regional authorities their prosperity, but this is not the way to make ends meet.

FRANS HUNEKER Ubud, Bali