TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Manggarai civil group had repeatedly rejected the construction taking place at the Komodo National Park (TN Komodo) in Labuan Bajo, East NusaTenggara. Their objection is mainly driven by the fears that major constructions of modern facilities in the area may lead to the extinction of the protected creature.

“The constructions that are forms of exploitation and extractions are haram,” said Aloysius Suhartim Karya, chairperson of the the West Manggarai Tourism Rescue Society Forum (FORMAPP), to Tempo on Sunday, October 25.

The objections can be traced two years back as Tempo’s records show in August of 2018 the FORMAPP strongly rejected the plan to construct a rest area within the Rinca Island - one of the Komodo’s natural habitat and part of the national park - which its development concession was granted to the PT Komodo Wildlife Ecotourism on a 426.07 hectare concession land.

The rescue forum protested this development to the West Manggarai Legislative Council (DPRD).

Meanwhile in 2019, locals strongly protested against Komodo Island’s temporary closure for one year due to the construction project that costs Rp100 billion to improve the tourism site. Plans went as far to displace the island’s local residents.

In 2020, local residents once again protested against the government’s revitalization project at the site by notifying UNESCO about the situation and grabbed public attention after the government plans to make the destination into a super premium tourism site, an idea first mentioned by Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

Also Read: Komodo Population in Labuan bajo Rises in Past 5 Years, Govt Claims

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA