Tourism Minister Responds to UNESCO's Komodo Park Concern

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno on Monday has provided a response to a letter sent by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee urging Indonesia to temporarily halt the tourism infrastructure project at the Komodo National Park.

“I am in the process of requesting a minute of meeting from UNESCO. I don’t want what circulating information suggests but I want to see [the recommendation] in detail and discuss it line-by-line,” said Sandiaga in the virtual press conference on August 2. 

The WHC draft decision 44.COM 7B.93 urges the Indonesian government to temporarily halt the tourism infrastructure projects in the protected Komodo habitat considered as outstanding universal value (OUV).

Uno insists that he wants to be informed about the actual UNESCO letter and said there is a possibility that its content differs from what is in the public discourse, which he believes will be crucial to make the correct decision. 

The tourism ministry will work together with the Environment and Forestry Ministry to evaluate the environmental impact analysis (Amdal), which the World Heritage Committee specifically mentioned in its recommendation. 

“Whatever we decide to continue at Labuan Bajo will have to refer to environmental studies,” said Sandiaga Uno.

Read: Sandiaga Uno Vows Komodo Island Tourism Projects Will Prioritize Ecosystem

LAURENSIA FAYOLA | FRANCISCA CHRISTY