It is estimated there are about 5,700 Komodo dragons in the wild (Source: https://www.theguardian.com) Hanoi (VNA) – The Indonesian Government decided to cancel the planned shutdown ofKomodo Island, a popular destination in the eastern region as populations of the rare lizardKomodo remain stable despite influx of visitors.
Last July, Governorof East Nusa Tenggara province Viktor B. Laiskodat announced a plan to close thetourism site for one year from January 2020 tostop tourists interfering with the natural behaviour of the largest species oflizard on earth.
The cancellation was decided in a September 30 meeting attended byCoordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Panjaitan, Environment andForestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and ViktorLaiskodat.
According to Bakar, observations from 2002 to2019 show that the number of Komodo dragons on the island has been relativelystable, without threat of a decline.
This ministry said the Indonesian Government and authorities of East Nusa Tenggarawill coordinate to improve tourism sites, better training for forest rangersand provide better equipment for patrol forces, as well as establish a Kodomodragon research centre.
Last year, more than 176,000 tourists visitedthe Komodo National Park.
Currently, Komodo dragons in the park that covers three islands of Komodo,Rinca and Gili Motang number 2,897, according to the data issued by theIndonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry./.
VNA
