A battle for dominance

The battle for control of Indonesia’s Komodo Island Officials want the Komodo Island Dragons back, they want the island closed to tourists, and the local population evicted

Local residents have lived with these giant lizards on this island for generations. Komodo dragons have been of interest to the world for decades. The world’s largest lizards, known for their sharp teeth and venomous sting, are found in this small region of eastern Indonesia. Tourists flock to see them while many horror films have been made inspired by these lizards.

The indigenous people living there believe that they have a physical and spiritual connection with these lizards, but the relationship of humans with these lizards may be changing now.

This island is called Komodo Island, which is why it should be dedicated only to Komodo dragons and not to humans, says Victor Bangtelo Leskodat, the governor of this region in Indonesia. There will now be only animal rights, not human rights. The governor has called on UNESCO to close its site there for a year in 2020, and after that only a few wealthy tourists visit the island. Space should be created. The governor also wants the natives living in the island to leave forever.

This proposal presented by the governor is currently under consideration in Jakarta. However, the number of tourists who come to see the dragons is much higher than this time. Each group of tourists is given just five minutes to watch the Komodo dragons basking near the river. After five minutes they are sent forward to make room for the other group.

Tour guide Tessa Saptini Indira says the place is on the rise and there seems to be limitless opportunities now. However, the governor is not impressed with what is going on here. They say Comodo is not being protected. Many people are coming here. They’re not paying a lot more to come in and that means everybody can get in and they’re going to get a lot more value under the new plan for the place. One has to become a member of the National Park and they have to pay 1000 dollars a year to enter this place. I think it’s cheaper too. Thus, if we allow 50 thousand people to enter here, we can earn 50 million dollars annually.

Tourists say they are incredibly beautiful, but also intimidating. I didn’t believe that dragons existed, but it’s true. Komodo National Park is located in the poorest region of the islands in Indonesia, and the income from tourists could change the fate of this place.