Kemenhut ensures that the restriction of tourists in Komodo National Park is periodically reviewed.

The atmosphere of tourist activities in Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. (ANTARA/HO-Ministry of Tourism)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has strengthened the management of the Komodo National Park (TN) with the policy of limiting tourist quotas to continue to be monitored and evaluated periodically to ensure a balance between the ecological interests of the conservation area and the economy of the surrounding community.

Deputy Minister of Forestry (Wamenhut) Rohmat Marzuki said it was an important step to maintain the Komodo National Park as a national asset.

"We agree in principle that there must be restrictions for ecological balance. However, we will continue to conduct continuous studies and periodic evaluations. As we improve the facilities and infrastructure (sapras) that we will do on Padar Island this year, such as trekking routes and in-out piers, then the addition of quotas will be very likely to be considered," said Wamenhut Rohmat Marzuki as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, April 25.

The policy of tourist quotas which is currently set at 365,000 people per year. However, he emphasized that the figure is not static, but dynamic following the development of the capacity and capacity of the environment.

Speaking during a discussion in the context of a working visit to the Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Friday (24/4), the Minister of Finance through the Komodo National Park Office is preparing a strategy for the equalization of visits so that there is no accumulation in only one point. In addition, the Ministry of Finance opened a space for collaboration with associations to jointly study the ideal quota.

"We will involve representatives of associations to conduct joint studies. We also encourage the development of conservation of Komodo dragons outside the national park, such as on the mainland of Flores, Longos Island, to Golomori, as an alternative destination for tourists," he explained.

On the same occasion, the Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR RI, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, or commonly known as Titiek Soeharto, appreciated the spirit of protecting the area carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. He assessed that restrictions were a form of long-term investment to maintain the welfare of business actors themselves.

"The spirit of this policy is right to maintain the ecosystem and beauty of this place for the long term. However, we want the transition to be carried out gradually and involve the local community. Don't let tourists who have come a long way feel disappointed," said Titiek Soeharto.