DPR Asks KLHK To Review Proposed Increase In Komodo National Park Tourism Rates

JAKARTA - Commission IV of the House of Representatives requested that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) conduct a review of the proposed increase in tourism rates in Komodo National Park.

"Commission IV of the DPR RI has asked the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to review the proposed increase in tariffs for nature tourism in Komodo National Park," said Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR, Dedi Mulyadi from the Golkar Party faction, reading the conclusion of the hearing at the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, August 22.

Commission IV of the House of Representatives also asked the Ministry of Environment and Forestry specifically the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) to submit data on the amount of conservation funds per year and their use in all national parks, including Komodo National Park.

Meanwhile, Ansy Lema from the PDI-P faction said that conservation needs to be encouraged, not just tourism.

Therefore, he encourages management based on Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems. Community involvement in the area is also required.

Regarding the issue of tourism programs in Komodo National Park, Ansy asked for confirmation from the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry as well as Plt. Director General of KSDAE Bambang Hendroyono regarding policy plans that are optional and not mandatory.

"We have recorded the answer of the Secretary General so that the time for the working meeting with the Minister of Environment and Forestry does not shift, the first one is not mandatory but optional," he said in a hearing meeting discussing the management of Komodo National Park tourism.

Previously, during the hearing, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Bambang explained that the issue related to the tourism service program in Komodo National Park was still a proposal.

He explained that PT Flobamor, which is a BUMD of NTT Province, proposed a membership package of Rp. 15 million for four people, which included conservation contributions. From that fee, the figure of Rp3.75 million per person was raised, which became an issue related to the entrance fee to Komodo National Park.

"This tour package that we report as a visitor's choice is managed by service providers," said Bambang.

He said that the incoming package was a proposal and is still in the process of being analyzed. The implementation itself is proposed to be implemented on January 1, 2023.