Managing Komodo park

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