Komodo National Park
is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the
islands of Sumbawa and Flores. Established in 1980, initially the main
purpose of the Park was to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus
komodoensis) and its habitat. However, over the years, the goals for the
Park have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both
terrestrial and marine. In 1986, the Park was declared a World Heritage
Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, both indications of the
Park's biological importance.
Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and
Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands creating a total surface area
(marine and land) of 1817km (proposed extensions would bring the total
surface area up to 2,321km2). As well as being home to the Komodo
dragon, the Park provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial
species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the
Timor deer. Moreover, the Park includes one of the richest marine
environments including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts,
and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of
fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of
sponges. Dugong, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales,
dolphins, and sea turtles also make Komodo National Park their home.
Threats to terrestrial biodiversity include the increasing pressure on
forest cover and water resources as the local human population has
increased 800% over the past 60 years. In addition, the Timor deer
population, the preferred prey source for the endangered Komodo dragon,
is still being poached. Destructive fishing practices such as dynamite-,
cyanide, and compressor fishing severely threaten the Park's marine
resources by destroying both the habitat (coral reefs) and the resource
itself (fish and invertebrate stocks). The present situation in the Park
is characterized by reduced but continuing destructive fishing practices
primarily by immigrant fishers, and high pressure on demersal stocks
like lobsters, shellfish, groupers and napoleon wrasse. Pollution
inputs, ranging from raw sewage to chemicals, are increasing and may
pose a major threat in the future.
There are a total of over 2,300 people living in the park.
There are only 3 villages in the park.
Komodo village has 1400 people, Rinca village has 1074 people and Kerora
Village has 223 people
In Komodo village , most people are originally from Bima (East Sumbawa),
Selayar (South Sulawesi) and Manggarai (West Flores). In Rinca village,
the people come from the same places as Komodo village, but there are
also Bajo people from Sulawesi. In Kerora village, the people originally
came from Bima and Manggarai. |
