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Komodo Island - Indonesia National Park
Komodo National Park is located in the
center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and
Flores. Established in 1980, initially the main purpose of the Park was to
conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat.
However, over the years, the goals for the Park have expanded to
protecting its entire biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. In 1986,
the Park was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere
Reserve by UNESCO, both indications of the Park's biological importance.
Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar,
as well as numerous smaller islands creating a total surface area (marine
and land) of 1817km (proposed extensions would bring the total surface
area up to 2,321km2). As well as being home to the Komodo dragon, the Park
provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the
orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. Moreover,
the Park includes one of the richest marine environments including coral
reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. These
habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of
reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. Dugong, sharks, manta
rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles also make
Komodo National Park their home.
Threats to terrestrial biodiversity include the increasing pressure on
forest cover and water resources as the local human population has
increased 800% over the past 60 years. In addition, the Timor deer
population, the preferred prey source for the endangered Komodo dragon, is
still being poached. Destructive fishing practices such as dynamite-,
cyanide, and compressor fishing severely threaten the Park's marine
resources by destroying both the habitat (coral reefs) and the resource
itself (fish and invertebrate stocks). The present situation in the Park
is characterized by reduced but continuing destructive fishing practices
primarily by immigrant fishers, and high pressure on demersal stocks like
lobsters, shellfish, groupers and napoleon wrasse. Pollution inputs,
ranging from raw sewage to chemicals, are increasing and may pose a major
threat in the future.
About Komodo National Park
Location
Komodo National Park lies in the Wallacea Region of Indonesia, identified
by WWF and Conservation International as a global conservation priority
area. The Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores at the
border of the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTP)
provinces. It includes three major islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and
numerous smaller islands together totaling 603 km2 of land. The total size
of Komodo National Park is presently 1,817 km2. Proposed extensions of 25
km2 of land (Banta Island) and 479 km2 of marine waters would bring the
total surface area up to 2,321 km2. (Click on the map to enlarge - 70kB)
History
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was declared a World
Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park
was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus
komodoensis), first discovered by the scientific world in 1911 by J.K.H.
Van Steyn. Since then conservation goals have expanded to protecting its
entire biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.
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 their
livelihoods. Descendents 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.
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 demand for tribute.
Demographics
There are presently almost 4,000 inhabitants living within the park spread
out over four settlements (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, and Papagaran). All
villages existed prior to 1980 before the area was declared a national
park. In 1928 there were only 30 people living in Komodo Village, 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, meaning that the local population had increased exponentially.
Komodo Village has had the highest population increase of the villages
within the Park, mostly due to migration by people from Sape, Manggarai,
Madura, and South Sulawesi. The number of buildings in Kampung Komodo 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. As of 1999, Rinca’s population was 835, and
Kerora's population was 185 people. The total population currently living
in the Park is 3,267 people, while 16,816 people live in the area
immediately surrounding the Park.
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 recruited 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 which do graduate from elementary school will 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.
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 Mesa island, with a
population of around 1,500 people, there is no fresh water available.
Fresh water is brought by boat in jerrycans from Labuan Bajo. Each family
needs an average of Rp 100,000.- per month to buy fresh water (2000).
Almost every village has a local medical facility with staff, and at least
a paramedic. The quality of medical care facilities is low.
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Indonesia Tours |
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Komodo
Tour
We will take
you to the island of the giant lizard of Komodo and get
close with this animal in their own habitat in 3days
at USD 350. Experience and explorer the remote islands in
East of Indonesia. |
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