REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla is looking for a solution to resolve the problems on Komodo Island, which has led to the planned closure of the National Park by the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government. Chairman of the Vice President's Expert Team, Sofyan Wanandi, said that several options offered by Kalla, who was also the Ambassador of Komodo Island, included the transfer of tourism to Rinca Island and the enactment of a limit to tourist visits during conservation on Komodo Island.

"We are looking for the best solution, so that it would not be closed. Maybe if (Komodo Island) is repaired, Rinca Island can have a special quota; for example, it can be 800 thousand a year, so that all maintenance can be carried out," Wanandi stated at the Office of the Vice President Jakarta on Monday.

Kalla has formed a special team to conduct further research on the island of Komodo and find the best solution for tourists, the public, and the local government. The team was coordinated directly by the Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, involving the Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya and NTT Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat.

"Now there is a team under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Mrs. Siti Nurbaya; and I hope this can be completed as soon as possible. After that, we will announce the best 'policy' done by the vice president," Sofyan explained.

Kalla is scheduled to directly visit the Komodo Island National Park in March, while deciding the best policy to resolve the issue on the island of Komodo.

On Monday, the vice president received a visit from NTT Representative Adrianus Garu, who sought a solution regarding the anxiety of a number of surrounding communities towards the local economy if Komodo Island was closed by the local government. Garu remarked that most of the people around Labuan Bajo depend on tourism on Komodo Island. Therefore, the closure of the National Park would disrupt the economy of local residents.

"If the closure is gradual, for the development and repair of facilities, then we support that. But there must be a solution too, as there is already a 'homestay.' Clearly, the people there are indebted to banks and cooperatives," Garu revealed after meeting JK at the Office of the Vice President on Monday.

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor Laiskodat

The issue regarding Komodo Island has been continuing since November 2018, when Governor Viktor said that he wanted to take part in the management of the National Park.

"Actually, everything is in the hands of the center. Conservation is not by the local government, although, of course, the local government must be given the opportunity to enjoy the results rather than tourism," Wanandi added.

After that, Viktor also raised a discourse to increase the price of admission for foreign tourists by US$500 and domestic tourists by $100. Finally, Laiskodat again raised a statement to temporarily close the Komodo National Park for one year, with the reason being the maintenance of Komodo dragons, which are increasingly under risk due to lack of food.

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