Protesters to Meet Jokowi on Closure of Komodo National Park
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2 August 2019 15:47 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A group of people under the Community Forum of West Manggarai Tourism Defender (Formapp Mabar) said they would meet with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo for talks about the planned closure of the Komodo National Park.
Forum representative Rafael expressed his disagreement over the planned closure of Komodo Island that he deemed would affect the community's economy. He also rejected the relocation of people.
“People have been living on Komodo Island since 2013. They earn a living from tourism,” said Rafael on Friday, August 2, adding that the meeting with the President would take place at the Bogor Presidential Palace today afternoon.
Previously, the head of the East Nusa Tenggara Tourism Agency, Wayan Darmawa, announced that the island, as part of the Komodo National Park, would be off-limits in 2020.
President Jokowi, during his visit to the island, explained there would be tourist restrictions as it was a conservation area.
The President then asked tourists to see komodo dragons on Rinca Island, which is located near the Komodo National Park. The closure was intended for conservational purposes.
MARVELA
