REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Since it was confirmed officially as one of the New7Wonders of Nature, Komodo Island has attracted many tourists. The flight schedule to the island is even doubled, Director General for Marine, Coastal Area and Small Islands, Sudirman Saad stated.

Yet, the condition raises dilemma to the island. The name 'Indonesia' becomes famous, but in the other side the tourist visits cause environmental damage. Without professional attention, the beauty of Komodo Island will vanish as the number of tourists rises.

Government still study the best method to manage the area. Based on Governmental Regulation no. 60/2007 regarding Conservation of Fishery Resources, water conservation areas shall be instituted for the conservation of ecosystems and shall consist of national water parks, water tourism parks, water wildlife reserves and fishery wildlife reserves.

Komodo Island consists of water and forest conservation areas. The regulation says only ten percent of the areas can be used for tourism activity. Government must regulate management system to meet the needs of both sectors.

"Water conservation areas can be used for research, environmental education, business, tourism and economic empowerment," Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Sharif C Sutardjo, said on Monday. Tourists are also expected to help developing environmental conservation as well as protect marine resources by preventing over-exploitation.

Governor of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Frans Lebu Raya, said NTT was ready to host both local and international events. More over, the 5.1 million people who live in the island are not attracted to marine areas while in fact 80 percent of NTT is water.

Komodo Island will hold Sail Komodo 2013 in September 14. It is expected to attract tourists to visit the island, the habitat of one of the rare animals in the world.

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