Indonesia: Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara Province
Located in the center of Indonesia, the Komodo National Park’ main purpose was to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat. Established in 1980 and over the years, the goals of the park have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. The park was declared in 1986 a World Heritage Site as well as a Man and Biosphere Reserve.
The park consists of three major islands that include Komodo, Rinca and Padar as well as numerous smaller islands covering a total surface area of up to 2,321 square kilometers. Besides being home to the Komodo dragons, the park also plays host to many other notable terrestrial species like the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. The park is also rich in marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. Dugongs, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins and sea turtles make Komodo National Park their home as well as some 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral and 70 species of sponges.
The park’s inhabitants are threatened by the increasing pressure on forest cover and water resources because of increase human population. The Timor deer population which is the preferred prey of the Komodo dragons have also decreased due to poaching. Destructive fishing practices also have a tremendous effect on the park’s marine ecosystem. Presently, the PKA Balai Taman Nasional Komodo and PT. Putri Naga Komodo are working together to protect the Park’s vast resources. The goals for Komodo National Park are to protect its biodiversity particularly the Komodo dragons and the breeding stocks of commercial fishes for replenishment of surrounding fishing grounds. The main challenge is to reduce both threats to the terrestrial and coastal marine resources. A comprehensive 25 year management plan completed in 2000 provides the basis for adaptive management to regulate all uses in the park and address threats while maximizing benefits for local communities in a sustainable way. The comprehensive plan includes park financing, enforcement, alternative livelihoods, awareness and constituency building, monitoring and research and mooring buoy program.
The waters around the island is very rich in marine resources and has numerous fantastic dive sites like the Tanjung Rusa, Toro Oi, GPS Point, Lohwenci, Tukoh-serikaya, Tukoh-lehokgebah, Banana Split, Batu saloka, Nisaleme Island, Toroletuhoh, Letuhoh Reef, Langkoi Rock, The Alley, German Flag, South Tala, Tanjung Loh Sera, Toro Sie, Yellow Wall, Cannibal Rock/ Batu Buas, Crinoid Canyon, Boulders, Torpedo Point, Nusa Kode, Payung Island, Three Sisters/ Tiga Dara, Pillaarsteen, Indihiang, Loh Namu, Pantai Merah/ Pink Beach, Batu Tiga, Karang Makasar, Batu Bolong, Tatawa Kecil, Tatawa Besar, Sabolan Kecil, Mini Wall, Sebayor Kecil, Gililawa Laut, Castle Rock, Crystal Rock, Darat Passage North, Gililawa Darat Island, and Darat Passage South. The Komodo National Park Authority set up permanent moorings in order to safeguard the coral reefs and enhance the boat safety.
While most visitors enter Komodo National Park (KNP) through the gateway cities of Labuan Bajo in the west of Flores or Bima in eastern Sumbawa, the departure point for visitor’s trip is actually Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. If you are going by land, the gateway cities of Labuan Bajo and Bima are connected to Denpasar, Bali by overland buses. For the sea route, the gateway cities of Labuan Bajo and Bima are also connected to Denpasar, Bali by inter-island ferry.