TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of the House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission V, Johan Rosihan, underlined that the tourism development project in Komodo National Park, including in Rinca Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), should not set aside the natural habitat of Komodo dragons.

“The interests of tourism must not ignore the interests of protecting the natural habitat and conservation of Komodo as the largest surviving lizard in the world,” said Johan on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

Johan made the statement in response to the planned construction of facilities and infrastructure in Loh Buaya, Rinca Island. The PKS politician argued that the environmental aspect must be prioritized and there should be habitat restoration following the project.

Comprehensive studies on the impact of new infrastructures in the area, he added, are also necessary. “In fact, the current most vital project to do is organizing the tourism infrastructures for the ecosystem because the project and human activities will always cause disruption to the ecosystem,” Johan said.

Johan further questioned the government’s analysis and concept of tourism infrastructure development in Rinca Island. Thus, he asked for guarantees from all parties related to the project that it would not harm the natural habitat of Komodo dragons.

Read: Loh Buaya Komodo National Park Temporarily Closed for Construction

ANTARA