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PRESIDENT Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on the sidelines of his working visit to Rinca Island, NTT, Thursday (7/21), the President said one of the considerations for the increase in the price of admission was the existence of a conservation plan on Komodo Island.
“So, we want conservation, but we also want the economy through tourism, through tourists. This must be balanced,” said Jokowi as witnessed on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube show in Jakarta, Thursday (7/21).
Jokowi explained that in Labuan Bajo, NTT, Komodo dragons do not only live on one island, but also on Komodo Island, Rinca Island, and Padar Island. The islands that have been decided to become conservation sites are Komodo Island and Padar Island, while Rinca Island is intended for tourists.
“The ones for tourists are given on Rinca Island. So, we fix this for tourists and also for the Komodo dragons. The Komodo dragons on Rinca Island and on Komodo Island have the same dragons, the faces are the same. So, if you want to see the Komodo dragons, please go to Rinca Island, at here there is a Komodo dragon,” President Jokowi stated.
The President said that people can still see Komodo dragons on Rinca Island at a cheaper rate; while for those who want to see Komodo dragons on Komodo Island, they are still welcome but at different rates.
“It’s actually simple like that. Don’t take it anywhere because environmental activists, conservation activists must also respect them, their input,” Jokowi remarked.
Previously, the government set the entrance ticket to Komodo Island National Park at IDR3.75 million per person starting August 1, 2022. The increase in rates received various responses from the public, including associations of business actors in Labuan Bajo. [antaranews/photo special]
