Komodo National Park Increases Security to Prevent Poaching

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Komodo National Park Sudiono revealed that his side had continued to step up security on Komodo Island to prevent animal poaching activities within and around the national tourism spot.

"We have continued to increase security, especially to prevent poaching activities. We are cooperating with dive operators by assigning our personnel to conduct close routine checks in areas prone to poaching," Sudiono informed Antara on Tuesday.

Sudiono stated that security issues, such as rampant deer poaching activities in Komodo Island in mid-2017, were discussed by several people.

Hence, apart from closely overseeing the operation, his side had also cooperated with the East Nusa Tenggara Police Department and set up joint security posts.

"For this year, we have planned to establish security posts in cooperation with the police at two locations, such as the northern and southern parts of Padar Island," he noted.

Sudiono stated that apart from preventing poaching activities, his side had also raised awareness on securing maritime areas around the tourism spot by preparing a map application for the android operating system to be available to the personnel, especially dive operators.

"This application was given to those dive operators, so they will not anchor their boat recklessly and not obstruct the zone," he explained.

Speaking in connection with offering security to tourism boats, Sudiono said his side had already build 10 boat moorings to offer docking facilities, with five of them around the Pink Beach area, while the others being spread around various points of interest.

"The mooring facility was built, so that boats carrying tourists keen on conducting surfing and diving activities would not throw their anchor recklessly," he pointed out.

Sudiono noted that his side will continue to optimize security, so that the world-famous Komodo Island and its surrounding beauty would be preserved and would make tourists feel safe and comfortable.

In 2017, more than 120 thousand tourists, comprising 65 percent foreign holidaymakers, had visited Komodo Island.

Sudiono noted that the huge figure had contributed as much as Rp25 billion to the nation's income or increased around Rp5 billion than that recorded in the previous year, with the income derived from ticketing fees or the amenities for trekking, surfing, and diving.

ANTARA