Komodo National Park

Last updated

Komodo National Park
Taman Nasional Komodo
Komodo dragon at Komodo National Park.jpg
Komodo dragon at Komodo National Park
Flores Locator Topography.png
Red pog.svg
Komodo NP
Location Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia
Coordinates 8°32′36″S119°29′22″E / 8.54333°S 119.48944°E / -8.54333; 119.48944
Area1,733 km2 (669 sq mi) [1]
Established1980
Visitors45,000(in 2010)
Governing body Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Website www.komodonationalpark.org
Criteria Natural: vii, x
Reference 609
Inscription1991 (15th Session)

Komodo National Park (Indonesian: Taman Nasional Komodo) is a national park in Indonesia located within 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, Padar and Rinca, and 26 smaller ones, with a total area of 1,733 km2 (603 km2 of it land). The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard. Later it was dedicated to protecting other species, including marine species. In 1991 the national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve. It is considered one of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots.

Contents

Komodo National Park has been selected as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. [2] The waters surrounding Komodo island contain rich marine biodiversity. Komodo islands is also a part of the Coral Triangle, which contains some of the richest marine biodiversity on Earth.

It is also a WWF Global 200 Marine Eco-region, a WWF/IUCN Centre of Plant Diversity, one of the world's Endemic Bird Areas and an ASEAN Heritage Park.

History

Komodo National Park featured on the reverse of the 50,000 rupiah banknote TE-2022-50000-belakang.jpg
Komodo National Park featured on the reverse of the 50,000 rupiah banknote

The island of Padar and part of Rinca were established as nature reserves in 1938. [3]

Komodo Island was declared a nature reserve in 1965, [4] and in January 1977 as a biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme. [4] [3]

In 1980 the islands of Komodo, Padar, Rinca [5] and Gili Motong and the surrounding waters were declared a national park, for a total of 75,000 ha.

In 1984 the national park was extended to 219,322 ha in order to include the marine area Mbeliling / Ngorang (31,000 ha), and Wae Wuul / Mburak Recreation Parks (3,000 ha) on mainland Flores. The marine zone covers 60% of the national park area. [3]

In 1991 the national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [3]

In 2005 it was designated an ASEAN Heritage Park. [3]

The park was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), [5] first discovered by the scientific world in 1912 through Lieutenant J. K. H. van Steyn van Hensbroek, the Civil Administrator in Reo, Flores Island. Since then conservation goals have expanded to protecting the entire biodiversity of the region, both marine and terrestrial.

It is considered one of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots [6] - a Conservation International designation. It is also one of the WWF Global 200 Marine Eco-regions, a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, a WWF/IUCN Centre of Plant Diversity and one of the world's Endemic Bird Areas. [3]

Geography and climate

The rugged terrain of Komodo Island with few trees makes it one of the driest locations in Indonesia. Komodo Islands.jpg
The rugged terrain of Komodo Island with few trees makes it one of the driest locations in Indonesia.
Rinca Island Rinca Island.jpg
Rinca Island
Padar Island Adelaar off Padar Island (1998).jpg
Padar Island

The park comprises a coastal section of western Flores, the three larger islands of Komodo, Padar and Rinca, 26 smaller islands and the surrounding waters of the Sape Straights. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin. The terrain is generally rugged, characterized by rounded hills, [5] with altitudes up to 735 m. [7] The climate is one of the driest of Indonesia with annual rainfall between 800mm and 1000mm. Harsh daily temperatures in the dry season from May to October are around 40 °C. [5]

Human settlements

Population history

Little is known of the early history of the Komodo islanders. They were subjects of the Sultanate of Bima, although the island's remoteness from Bima meant its affairs were probably little troubled by the Sultanate other than by occasional demands for tribute.[ citation needed ]
The majority of the people in and around the park are fishermen originally from Bima (Sumbawa), Manggarai, South Flores, and South Sulawesi. Those from South Sulawesi are from the Suku Bajau or Bugis ethnic groups. The Suku Bajau were originally nomadic and moved from location to location in the region of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku, to make a living. Descendants of the original people of Komodo, the Ata Modo, still live in Komodo, but there are no pure blood people left and their culture and language is slowly being integrated with the recent migrants.[ citation needed ]

The human population within the park spread out over four settlements (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, and Papagaran), all of which existed before 1980 when the area was declared a national park. In 1928 there were only 30 people living in Komodo Village (known locally as Kampung Komodo), and approximately 250 people on Rinca Island in 1930. The population increased rapidly, and by 1999, there were 281 families numbering 1,169 people on Komodo Island. [8] Komodo Village has had the highest population within the park, mostly due to migration by people from Sape, Manggarai, Madura, and South Sulawesi. The number of buildings in Komodo Village has increased rapidly from 30 houses in 1958, to 194 houses in 1994, and 270 houses in 2000. Papagaran Village is similar in size, with 258 families totaling 1,078 people.PKA & TNC 2000 , p. 13 At the 2010 Census, Komodo Village had 1,508 inhabitants and Papagaran Village had 1,262 inhabitants.[ citation needed ] As of 1999, Rinca's population was 835, and Kerora's population was 185 people.PKA & TNC 2000 , p. 13

In 2004, the total population living in the park was 3,267 people while 16,816 people lived in the area immediately surrounding the park. [3]

Economy

As of 2007, 97% of the people living within the park rely on marine resources as their only source of income. [9] They are pauperised by the restrictions on access to resources coupled with rising costs of living, a growing population and the lack of sustainable livelihood alternatives, all of which increasing the pressure on resources. [10]

Tourism revenue and local communities

Locally, tourism has become a major industry since the late 1980s and the 1990s; but this development brought little benefit to the local communities within the park. Not only this industry is mainly based outside the park in Labuan Bajo; moreover most of the benefits thusly generated are leaked outside the region to large national or international tourism operators. [11]

Education

The average level of education in the villages of Komodo National Park is grade four of elementary school. There is an elementary school located in each of the villages but new students are not admitted each year. On average, each village has four classes and four teachers. Most of the children from the small islands in the Kecamatan Komodo (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, Papagaran, Mesa) do not finish elementary school. Less than 10% of those who do graduate from elementary school continue to high school since the major economic opportunity (fishing) does not require further education. Children must be sent to Labuan Bajo to attend high school, but this is rarely done in fishermen's families. [12]

Health

Most of the villages located in and around the park have few fresh water facilities available, if any, particularly during the dry season. Water quality declines during this time period and many people become ill. Malaria and diarrhea are rampant in the area. On Messah island, with a population of 1,969 people, there is no fresh water available. Fresh water has to be brought in jerrycans by boat from the mainland. The cost for each family for fresh water is Rp100,000 per month. Almost every village has a local medical facility with staff, and at least a paramedic. The quality of medical care facilities is low. [12]

Socio-cultural and anthropologic conditions

Traditional communities in Komodo, Flores and Sumbawa have been subjected to outside influences and the influence of traditional customs is dwindling. Television, radio, and increased mobility have all played a part in accelerating the rate of change. There has been a steady influx of migrants into the area. At the moment nearly all villages consist of more than one ethnic group. [13]

Religion

The Manggarai are mostly Christians. The majority of fishermen living in the villages in the vicinity of the park are Muslims. Hajis have a strong influence in the dynamics of community development. Fishermen hailing from South Sulawesi (Bajau, Bugis) and Bima are mostly Muslims. [14]

Anthropology and language

There are several cultural sites within the park, particularly on Komodo Island. These sites are not well documented, however, and there are many questions concerning the history of human inhabitance on the island. Outside the park, in Warloka village on Flores, there is a Chinese trading post remnant of some interest. Archeological finds from this site have been looted in the recent past. Most communities in and around the park can speak Indonesian. Bajo language is the language used for daily communication in most communities. [14]

Flora and fauna

The hot and dry climate of the park, characterized by savannah vegetation, makes it a good habitat for the endemic Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). [7] Their populations are restricted to the islands of Komodo (1,700), Rinca (1,300), Gili Motang (100), Gili Dasami (100), and Flores (c. 2,000), [15] while extinct on Padar. [5]

Cloud forests appear only in few areas above 500 metres but they provide habitat to several endemic flora. Coastal vegetation includes mangrove forest, which generally appear in the sheltered bays of the three larger islands. [5]

Fringing and patch coral reefs are extensive and best developed on the north-east coast of Komodo. [5] The park is rich in marine life, including whale sharks, ocean sunfish, manta rays, eagle rays, pygmy seahorse, false pipefish, clown frogfish, nudibranchs, blue-ringed octopus, sponges, tunicates, and coral.

Varieties of cetaceans inhabit in adjacent waters from smaller sized dolphins to sperm whales [16] and even blue whales. [17] [18] Omura's whales, one of the least known of rorquals have been confirmed to range waters within the park. [19] Endangered dugongs still live in Komodo areas as well.

The terrestrial fauna is of rather poor diversity in comparison to the marine fauna. The number of terrestrial animal species found in the park is not high, but the area is important from a conservation perspective as some species are endemic. Many of the mammals are Asiatic in origin, including the rusa deer, wild boar, water buffalo, crab-eating macaque and civet. Several of the reptiles and birds are Australian in origin, such as the orange-footed scrubfowl, the lesser sulphur crested cockatoo, and the helmeted friarbird.

The most famous of Komodo National Park's reptiles is the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). It is the world's largest lizard and is among the world's largest reptiles; [20] the females can reach a length of 2 to 2.5 m (6.6-8 ft) and a 70 kg weight, the males a length of 3 m (10 ft) and up to 136 kg (300 lb) weight, [21] [22] but the average is respectively of 68 to 73 kg (150 to 161 lb) weight for a 2.29 m (7.5 ft) length and 79 to 91 kg (174 to 201 lb) weight for a 2.59 m (8.5 ft) length. [23]

Twelve terrestrial snake species are found on the island in addition to marine species. Snakes include the Javan spitting cobra (Naja sputatrix), Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris), blue lipped sea krait (Laticauda laticaudata), and Timor python (Python timoriensis). Lizards include nine skink species (Scinidae), geckos (Gekkonidae), limbless lizards (Dibamidae), and the monitor lizards such as the Komodo dragon (Varanidae). Frogs include the Asian bullfrog (Kaloula baleata), the endemic Komodo cross frog (Oreophryne jeffersoniana) and Oreophryne darewskyi. Frogs are typically found at higher, moister altitudes. The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) was once present within the park in coastal areas including mangrove swamps but is now extinct within the area.

Mammals found within the park include the Timor rusa deer (Cervus timorensis), the main prey of the Komodo dragon, horses (Equus sp.), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), wild boar (Sus scrofa vittatus), crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus lehmanni), the endemic Rinca rat (Rattus rintjanus), and fruit bats. Domestic mammals on within the park include goats, cats and dogs which are feral.

One of the main bird species is the orange-footed scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardti), a ground dwelling bird. In areas of savanna, 27 species were observed. The zebra dove (Geopelia striata) and spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) were the most common species. In mixed tropical deciduous habitat, 28 bird species were observed, and helmeted friarbird (Philemon buceroides), green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea), and lemon-bellied white-eye (Zosterops chloris) were the most common. Other birds include vibrantly coloured species such as green junglefowl (Gallus varius), great-billed parrot (Tanygnathus megalorynchos), and the critically endangered lesser sulpher crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea). Two eagle species are found in the park, the white-bellied sea eagle and the extremely rare Flores hawk-eagle which is present on Rinca and Flores and reported but unconfirmed on Komodo Island.

Management

Komodo National Park (KNP) was set up as a Technical Implementation Unit of the Directorate-General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA), of the Ministry of Forestry. Its management is headed by the Komodo National Park Authority, in West Flores. Also in West Flores - but as a separate unit - is the Directorship of Conservation Areas. The Nature Conservancy (TNC, an American environmental organization), [24] is director for the Coastal and Marine Program. [3]

The Nature Conservancy entered into a partnership with the Department of Forestry and Conservation (Perlindungan Hutan dan Pelastrian Alam/PHPA) in 1995, to manage the Komodo National Park for 25 years. [25]

A management plan was co-authored with TNC and implemented in 2000 to address problem of increasing resource exploitation, both marine and terrestrial. [26] The plan was supported by the World Bank but faced objections from some local people and local NGOs who argued that they had not been consulted by the plan and would not share in the benefits. [24] 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. [27]

A non-profit joint venture company, PT Putri Naga Komodo (PT PNK), was established to operate tourist facilities in the hope of eventually making the park financially self-sustaining. [24] PT PNK was partially funded by the TNC and the World Bank. After 5 years operation, in 2010 Putri Naga Komodo's (PNK) permit was compromised. After that, more illegal fishermen arrived as enforcement declined greatly following the exit of TNC which had helped fight destructive fishing practices. In early 2012, dive operators and conservationists found many desolate coral sites, reminiscent of grey moonscapes. Illegal fishermen continue to blast sites with 'bombs' in a process known as blast fishing. The fisherman use a mixture of fertilizer and kerosene in beer bottles as explosives, or use squeeze bottles to squirt cyanide into the coral in order to stun and capture fish. In the past two years more than 60 illegal fishermen have been arrested. One of the suspects was shot and killed after he tried to evade capture by throwing fish bombs at the rangers. [28]

Park managers have been conducting demographic status of the current living Komodo dragon populations across Komodo National Park. Komodo National Park contains five islands that inhabit Komodo dragons populations which hold the most desirable resources for the protected species. Two of the large islands, Komodo and Rinca, hold two of the largest populations on the island with three smaller ones being Padar, Gili Motang, and Nusa Kode. [29] To help increase the population of Komodo dragons in the park, habitat management focuses on maintaining the environments on Komodo Island like the savannah grasslands and forests. This increases the population of prey species like the Timor deer for the Komodo by maintaining the favored habitat. The results of the two populations here have shown to have almost stable or stable time average population growth rates. Conservation efforts on smaller islands have increased due to having smaller populations, which have increased extinction rates. [30]

Conflicts between conservation authorities and local community

Controversy surrounds the death of several fishermen since the 1980s. The circumstances of the fishermen's deaths are contested. While park patrols (including, at the time, police and navy personnel) claim they acted in self-defense, fishing communities accuse park management of having deliberately killed the fishermen. [31]

In late February 2014, Brimob Special Police shot dead two deer poachers, when they opened fire with their homemade firearms. [32]

Tourism

Kanawa Island, a tourist island in the Komodo National Park. Kanawa Island.jpg
Kanawa Island, a tourist island in the Komodo National Park.
Kanawa Island from above. Kanawa Island from Above.jpg
Kanawa Island from above.

Scuba diving is popular because of the park's high marine biodiversity. [33] Six well-known diving sites are Manta Alley, Crystal Rock and Castle Rock, Batu Bolong, Yellow Wall, the Cauldron and Tatawa Besar. [34]

The development of ecotourism, largely marine-based, is the main strategy to make the park self-financing and generate sufficient revenue through entrance fees and tourism licenses to cover operational and managerial costs. To this end, a joint venture between TNC and a tourism operator were granted a tourism concession, that also entails extensive park management rights. [35] This concession 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 have not been consulted regarding decisions that ultimately affect their lives. [36]

Komodo Island and Rinca were once part of Flores and they are separated from the large Island of Sumbawa to the West by the Sape Strait. The ocean in the Strait drops hundreds of meters. The Pacific Ocean to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south are actually at different heights – so the flow of currents from the Pacific to the Indian during tidal exchanges makes the currents among the strongest in the world. In the (relatively) shallow waters along the east coast of Komodo towards Labuan Bajo, these currents can be extremely dangerous with inexperienced guides. [37]

The number of visitors to the park increased from 36,000 in 2009 to 45,000 in 2010. Most of the visitors were foreign tourists as the high transport cost to this remote location is less affordable for local visitors. The park can accommodate up to 60,000 visitors a year according to the local tourism agency. [38]

Several types of boat tours run through the national park including upscale scuba liveaboards, short daily snorkel trips and 4 day, 3 night 'tourist boats' between Lombok and Flores. The tourist boats run very frequently, but have uncertain safety records. In an August 2014 incident one of these tourist boats sank, and 2 tourists were lost. Strong currents and waves separated the stranded passengers and crew who were floating at sea in life jackets. [39]

Closure of the park

In early 2019, the Nusa Tenggara Timor (NTT) provincial governor Viktor Laiskodat announced a plan to close a section of the park (a main section on Komodo Island) for a year in order to make improvements. [40] The suggestion was that other parts of the park, including Rinca and Padar Islands and certain parts of Komodo Island, would remain open. The governor's plan met with opposition from the local community and some parts of the wider public. In response, the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister, Siti Nurbaya said that she would summon representatives from the NTT administration for discussions, noting that decisions about conservation areas were under the jurisdiction of the central government. A final decision about the proposed closure was expected to be announced by the central government around mid-2019. [41]

In July 2019, it was confirmed that Komodo Island would be closed for around one year from the beginning of 2020. Governor Laiskodat said that a budget of Rp 100 billion (around $US 7.2 million) would be provided to support the conservation program. [42] The plan is controversial: Governor Laiskodat has suggested that an expensive entrance fee be charged to foreign tourists while local villagers who live on Komodo Island are worried about the possible loss of income. [43] The park was closed for almost six months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was reopened to local tourists on 6 July 2020, then to domestic tourists in August 2020 and subsequently to foreign tourists. [44] In December 2022, it was confirmed that the planned controversial increase in entrance fees, which had already been postponed by 5 months, was being canceled by the Indonesian government. [45]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Komodo dragon</span> Largest living species of lizard

The Komodo dragon, also known as the Komodo monitor, is a large reptile of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. It is the largest extant species of lizard, with the males growing to a maximum length of 3 m (9.8 ft) and weighing up to 150 kg (330 lb).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Nusa Tenggara</span> Province of Indonesia

East Nusa Tenggara is the southernmost province of Indonesia. It comprises the eastern portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands, facing the Indian Ocean in the south and the Flores Sea in the north. It consists of more than 500 islands, with the largest ones being Sumba, Flores, and the western part of Timor; the latter shares a land border with the separate nation of East Timor. The province is subdivided into twenty-one regencies and the regency-level city of Kupang, which is the capital and largest city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Komodo (island)</span> Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Komodo is one of the 17,508 islands that comprise the Republic of Indonesia. It is particularly notable as the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on Earth, which is named after the island. Komodo Island has a surface area of 291 square kilometres, and had a human population of about 1,800 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rinca</span> Island in Indonesia

Rinca is a small island near Komodo and Flores island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, within the West Manggarai Regency. It is one of the three largest islands included in Komodo National Park. The island is famous for Komodo dragons, giant lizards that can measure up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) long. Rinca is also populated with many other species such as wild pigs, buffalos and many birds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javan rusa</span> Species of deer

The Javan rusa or Sunda sambar is a large deer species native to Indonesia and East Timor. Introduced populations exist in a wide variety of locations in the Southern Hemisphere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cát Bà Island</span> Island in Haiphong, Vietnam

Cát Bà Island is the largest of the 367 islands spanning 262.41 km2 (101.32 sq mi) that comprise the Cat Ba Archipelago, which makes up the southeastern edge of Lan Ha Bay in Northern Vietnam and maintains the dramatic and rugged features of Ha Long Bay. The archipelago has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2004 and a part of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site since 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sape Strait</span> Strait in Indonesia

The Sape Strait or Sapie Strait is a strait connecting the Flores Sea to the Sumba Strait. It separates the islands of Sumbawa and Komodo. It joins the Indonesian provinces of West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Manggarai Regency</span> Regency in Indonesia

West Manggarai Regency is one of the eight regencies which comprise the island of Flores, located in the province of East Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia. The Regency was created on 25 February 2003 by the separation off of the western districts from Manggarai Regency. It covers a land area of 3,141.47 km2, and had a population of 221,703 at the 2010 census, rising to 251,689 at the 2015 Intermediate census and to 256,317 at the 2020 census. The official estimate as at mid 2023 was 276,349. The regency's capital is the town of Labuan Bajo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bunaken National Park</span> Marine park in the north of Sulawesi island, Indonesia

Bunaken National Park is a marine park in the north of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The park is located near the centre of the Coral Triangle, providing habitat to 390 species of coral as well as many fish, mollusks, reptiles and marine mammal species. The park is representative of Indonesian tropical water ecosystems, consisting of seagrass plains, coral reefs and coastal ecosystems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser Sundas deciduous forests</span> Ecoregion in Lesser Sundas, Indonesia

The Lesser Sundas deciduous forests is a tropical dry forest ecoregion in Indonesia. The ecoregion includes the islands of Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo, Flores, and Alor, along with the many adjacent smaller islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labuan Bajo</span> Town in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Labuan Bajo is a fishing town located at the western end of the large island of Flores in the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It is in Komodo district. It is the capital of the West Manggarai Regency, one of the eight regencies of Flores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taka Bonerate National Park</span> National park

Taka Bonerate National Park is a marine park which includes the Takabonerate atoll islands, located in the Flores Sea, south of Sulawesi island of Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wakatobi National Park</span> Marine park in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Wakatobi National Park is a marine national park in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. It was established in 2002. The name of Wakatobi is a portmanteau of the four main Tukangbesi Islands: Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko. Since 2005 the park is listed as a tentative World Heritage Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded pig</span> Subspecies of wild boar

The banded pig also known as the Indonesian wild boar is a subspecies of wild boar native to the Thai-Malay Peninsula and many Indonesian islands, including Sumatra, Java, and has been introduced to the Lesser Sundas in ancient times. It is known as the wild boar in Singapore. It is the most basal subspecies, having the smallest relative brain size, more primitive dentition, and unspecialised cranial structure. It is a short-faced subspecies with a white band on the muzzle, as well as sparse body hair, no underwool, a fairly long mane, and a broad reddish band extending from the muzzle to the sides of the neck. It is much smaller than the mainland S. s. cristatus subspecies, with the largest specimens on Komodo weighing only 48 kg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser Sunda Islands</span> Group of islands in Indonesian Archipelago

The Lesser Sunda Islands, now known as Nusa Tenggara Islands, are an archipelago in Indonesian archipelago. Most of the Lesser Sunda Islands are located within the Wallacea region, except for the Bali province which is west of the Wallace Line and is within the Sunda Shelf. Together with the Greater Sunda Islands to the west they make up the Sunda Islands. The islands are part of a volcanic arc, the Sunda Arc, formed by subduction along the Sunda Trench in the Java Sea. In 1930 the population was 3,460,059; today slightly over 15.5 million people live on the islands. Etymologically, Nusa Tenggara means "Southeast Islands" from the words of nusa which means 'island' from Old Javanese language and tenggara means 'southeast'.

The Komodo Biosphere Reserve and National Park is situated between Flores and Sumbawa in Indonesia. It is renowned for its population of about 5,000 giant lizards, called 'Komodo dragons'. They exist nowhere else in the world and are of significant interest to scientists studying the theory of evolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padar, Indonesia</span>

Padar, also known as Pada, is a small island located between the islands of Komodo and Rinca within Komodo archipelago, which is part of the West Manggarai Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It is the third-largest island in Komodo National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kokotuku Peninsula</span>

The Kokotuku Peninsula is a 986 hectare tropical land mass located 20 kilometers north of the city of Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, Flores NTT, Indonesia. The West Flores-Komodo region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.

References

  1. ↑ World Heritage Site Database
  2. ↑ New 7 Wonders of the world, retrieved 29 December 2011
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Komodo National Park". world-heritage-datasheets.unep-wcmc.org (World Heritage Datasheet. Updated March 1991, Nov 2005, Jan 2010, May 2011). December 1981. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Komodo National Park". whc.unesco.org. World Heritage Convention. UNESCO. 1992. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Komodo National Park Advisory Body Evaluation (IUCN)". World Heritage Convention. UNESCO. 1991. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  6. ↑ Borchers & Gustave 2007, p. 3.
  7. 1 2 "Komodo National Park". Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia. Archived from the original on 12 October 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Mariculture as a sustainable livelihood strategy in support of conservation and management – A case study of Komodo National Park, Indonesia". enaca.org (Improving coastal livelihoods through sustainable aquaculture practices: Annex 2). A Report to the Collaborative APEC Grouper Research and Development Network. Bali, Indonesia: Lida Pet-Soede, Ecosafe Consultants. 2003. p. 123-149 (see p. 131). Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  9. ↑ PKA & TNC 2000 , p. 15. Cited in Borchers & Gustave 2007 , p. 4.
  10. ↑ PKA & TNC 2000 , p. 5. Cited in Borchers & Gustave 2007 , p. 4.
  11. ↑ Walpole, M.J.; Goodwin, H. (2000). "Local economic impacts of dragon tourism in Indonesia". Annals of Tourism Research. 27 (3): 559–576. doi:10.1016/S0160-7383(99)00088-2 . Retrieved 22 June 2024. Cited in Borchers & Gustave 2007 , p. 4.
  12. 1 2 PKA & TNC 2000, p. 15.
  13. ↑ PKA & TNC 2000, p. 16.
  14. 1 2 PKA & TNC 2000, p. 17.
  15. ↑ Trooper Walsh; Murphy, James Jerome; Claudio Ciofi; Colomba De LA Panouse (2002). Komodo Dragons: Biology and Conservation (Zoo and Aquarium Biology and Conservation Series). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books. ISBN   1-58834-073-2.
  16. ↑ "Cetacean Surveys in Komodo National Park" (PDF). Indonesia Program Information Sheet CMP 8. The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  17. ↑ "The Deep South of Komodo". The Seven Seas Liveaboard. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  18. ↑ Tanzil N. (2010). "Blue Whales in Komodo National Park!". Life Is Beautiful. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  19. ↑ Kahn, B. 2001. "Komodo National Park Cetacean Surveys: April 2001 and 1999–2001 survey synopsis". Presented working paper CMS/SEAMAMSII/24. United Nations Environment Programme – Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) Second International Conference on the Marine Mammals of Southeast Asia. July 22–23, 2002. Demaguette, Philippines. 39pp.
  20. ↑ "Komodo Dragon « Scuba Diving Reviews". Archived from the original on 17 June 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  21. ↑ "Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) Fact Sheet: Physical Characteristics". ielc.libguides.com. International Environment Library Consortium / San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  22. ↑ "Komodo dragon". britannica.com. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  23. ↑ Wood, Gerald (1983). The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Guinness Superlatives. ISBN   978-0-85112-235-9.
  24. 1 2 3 "Indonesia: The Nature Conservancy's plans in Komodo National Park". World Rainforest Movement (WRM). 11 March 2004. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  25. ↑ Ping 2006, p. 34.
  26. ↑ PKA & TNC 2000.
  27. ↑ Friends of the Earth Indonesia (WALHI) 2004
  28. ↑ "Fishermen blast premier dive sites off Indonesia". 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012.
  29. ↑ Purwandana, Deni; Ariefiandy, Achmad; Imansyah, M. Jeri; Rudiharto, Heru; Seno, Aganto; Ciofi, Claudio; Fordham, Damien A.; Jessop, Tim S. (2014). "Demographic status of Komodo dragons populations in Komodo National Park". Biological Conservation. 171: 29–35. Bibcode:2014BCons.171...29P. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2014.01.017.
  30. ↑ Sudibyo, Dian Lintang (28 May 2019). "Komodo Dragon Attacks: The Changing of Human and Environment Relations". Jurnal Humaniora. 31 (2): 142. doi: 10.22146/jh.v31i2.35921 . ISSN   2302-9269.
  31. ↑ "Controversy over fatal shootings in Komodo National Park". Down To Earth. May 2003. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  32. ↑ Markus Markur (1 March 2014). "Poachers shot dead in Komodo park". thejakartapost.com.
  33. ↑ Rulistia, Novia D. (26 June 2013). "Under the seas in Komodo". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  34. ↑ "Top 6 Komodo's "signatures" dive sites". abyssoceanworld.com. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  35. ↑ PKA; TNC (2000). "25 Year Master Plan for Management Komodo National Park, Book 1: Management Plan" (PDF). biodiversitylinks.org. Jakarta: Direktorat Perlindungan dan Konservasi. p. 78. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  36. ↑ Friends of the Earth Indonesia (WALHI) 2003, Dhume, S. (16 March 2002). "Jurassic Showdown". Far Eastern Economic Review: 50–52.
  37. ↑ "Komodo Dive Centers". Komodo Travel. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  38. ↑ "Komodo Park attendance up by 9,000 in 2010". The Jakarta Post. 24 July 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  39. ↑ "Tourists Missing after Indonesia Boat Sinks". aljazeera.com. 18 August 2014.
  40. ↑ "Komodo National Part to be close for one year for habitat restoration". The Jakarta Post. 21 January 2019.
  41. ↑ Liza Yosephine, 'Government to go ahead with Komodo National Park closure in 2020', The Jakarta Post, 12 February 2019.
  42. ↑ "Komodo Island to be closed in 2020: Agency". The Jakarta Post. 18 July 2019.
  43. ↑ Rebecca Henscheke; Callistasia Wijaya (25 July 2019). "The fight for Dragon Island". BBC World.
  44. ↑ "Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo reopen to domestic tourists, expats". Antara. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  45. ↑ "Indonesia cancels decision to hike Komodo National Park entrance fee". en.antaranews.com. 15 December 2022.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.