REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUPANG -- Chairman of the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association (HPI) chapter in East Nusa Tenggara Mesakh Takoy has suggested a restriction in the number of tourists visiting the Komodo Island National Park. The input was given as a solution for the conservation of the fauna and flora existing in the park.

"In my opinion, Komodo Island must not be closed, but the number of tourists to Komodo Island must be limited," Takoy said here on Wednesday

He cited as an example that the number of visitors to the park could be decreased from 100 tourists per day to 50 people per day. Komodo is the icon of East Nusa Tenggara, so if tourists hear about the plan to close Komodo Island, they would go to other regions, instead of the province, he remarked.

He made the suggestion following a statement of East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat on his plan to close Komodo Island for a year for conservation purposes.

The closure will only be applicable to Komodo Island. Tourists can still visit Rinca Island, Padar Island, and others, the governor noted.

Tourists will only be allowed to tour around Komodo Island by boat, but they will not be allowed to land on the island, Laiskodat clarified.

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