Komodo Island Planned Closure: Councilor Invites JK to NTT
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18 February 2019 18:30 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Andreanus Garu, a councilor of the Regional Legislative Council (DPD) of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has invited Vice President Jusuf Kalla or JK to Labuan Bajo, NTT, following the planned, temporary closure of the Komodo National Park.
“I officially invite Pak VP to Labuan Bajo as he has a duty as a Komodo ambassador,” said Andre after meeting JK in the Vice Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday, February 18.
Besides sending an invitation, Andreanus met JK to ask for the latter’s opinion on issues surrounding Komodo Island. NTT Governor Viktor Laiskodat planned to shut Komodo Island in Manggarai Barat regency for a year in a bid to boost the population of deer, the main food of Komodo dragons.
Read: Komodo National Park Shut Down for 1 Year
The planned closure was also meant to help the provincial administration better its management of the park and develop the Komodo habitat, as it was feared Komodo dragons would prey on one another due to their endangered habitat.
The plan has stirred unrest among locals, particularly travel agent owners, as foreign tourists scrapped their visits to Labuan Bajo, Komodo district.
JK has been invited to Labuan Bajo in March 2019. Andre said JK was hoped to come up with solutions to the ongoing issues.
FRISKI RIANA
