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Agence France-Presse

Conservationists in Indonesia have slammed plans to turn the home of endangered Komodo dragons into a Jurassic Park-style attraction, after a viral photo showing one of the giant reptiles sparked an online backlash over the development.
Nearly 3,000 of the world’s biggest lizard species live on a cluster of islands east of Bali, where they grow to around three metres in length and weigh up to 90kg.
The Komodo dragon town in Indonesia that Jokowi wants Chinese tourists to visit
Authorities last month unveiled a proposal to build a tourist development on one of the islands, dubbed “Jurassic Park” after architects published a promotional video of the project set to music from the film franchise.
But environmentalists warned then that it would threaten the already at-risk species.

Ruined by Design

Left: Rinca island, Komodo, East Nusa Tenggara, 2020
Right: West Kalimantan, 2013#savekomodo #stopdeforestation #saveorangutan #ruinedbydesign pic.twitter.com/eBL8aZOIcd
— andi setiawan (@milikandi) October 25, 2020

This week a picture of a Komodo dragon in the path of a truck carrying construction supplies renewed debate over the project, after it was shared widely online.
“The idea to build a Jurassic Park is honestly embarrassing,” said Gregorius Afioma, an activist at local social justice NGO Sunspirit.
“People come here to see Komodos in their natural habitat … these people are selling a concept where [visitors] can walk around indoors to see Komodo dragons, which to me is no different than a zoo,” he added.
Rima Melani Bilaut of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment, added that the development would further threaten the dragons by reducing the size of their habitat.

The government said the truck in the now-viral photo wasn’t linked to the controversial development, which has been put on ice until mid-2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“If we control it well and minimise contact with wildlife, the current tourism development will not endanger the Komodo population,” said an environment ministry official in a statement this week.
Conservationists have long feared that mass tourism, trafficking and a lack of natural prey threaten the survival of Komodo dragons.
Last year, Indonesia scrapped plans to ban tourists from the conservation area and said it would instead limit visitor numbers and raise entry prices to create a “premium destination”.


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Indonesia

Activists decry ‘Jurassic Park’ plan for Indonesia’s Komodo dragons

A Komodo Dragon is seen in Komodo National Park, Indonesia, in 2018. Photo: Reuters

A computer animation shows the park that is planned for Rinca Island, at Komodo National Park, though locals say it could damage the lizards' natural habitat.

The Komodo dragon town in Indonesia that Jokowi wants Chinese tourists to visit

Labuan Bajo is a gateway to the popular Komodo National Park. Photo: Shutterstock

A speedboat to transport tourists from Labuan Bajo is moored by Rinca Island in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. 21MAR18 Photo Ernest Kao

Labuan Bajo harbour Photo: Wikiedia

The dragon comes on the blue sky background. Komodo dragon on island Rinca.The Komodo dragon, Varanus komodoensis, is the biggest living lizard in the world, Indonesia.

Komodo National Park caps daily visitors to 75 – is it finally taking conservation seriously?

Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park, in Indonesia. Photo: Shutterstock

The view from a hiking trail on Rinca Island, in Komodo National Park. Photo: Shutterstock

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Visitors enjoying the beach amid coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic ahead new normal era at Melasti Beach in Ungasan Village, Bali, Indonesia on June 24 2020. The beach is open for public with health protocol to prevent from the spread of COVID-19 as part of new normal tourism trial. (Photo by Johanes Christo/NurPhoto)

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Authorities unveiled a proposal to build a tourist development in Komodo National Park last month, dubbed ‘Jurassic Park’ by critics
A picture of a Komodo dragon in the path of a truck carrying construction supplies renewed debate over the project, after it was shared widely online



Authorities unveiled a proposal to build a tourist development in Komodo National Park last month, dubbed ‘Jurassic Park’ by critics after music from the franchise was used in a promotional video.
