A tourism influx is putting the Komodo dragon's habitat at risk with Indonesia’s government considering partial park closures in 2025 to protect the species
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 16 Oct 2024
Overtourism is threatening the endangered Komodo dragon
Tourism is proving to be a huge problem for the habitat of the Komodo dragon, with the world’s largest lizard under threat as more and more people travel to its home in Indonesia to get a glimpse of the ancient reptile.
Endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang, the Komodo dragon can grow up to 3m (9ft) in length, with the largest weighing upwards of 150kg (331lbs).
With only around 1,300 adult dragons remaining on Komodo and its nearby islands, rising visitor numbers are putting significant pressure on the delicate ecosystem of Komodo National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site.
In response to growing pressure when it comes to tourism, the Indonesian government is considering partial closures of the park in 2025.
Visitor numbers to the area have quadrupled from 2019 to 2024, with projections indicating over a million visitors this year alone, with Labuan Bajo, the nearest town, emerging as a major tourist destination within Indonesia. A decade previously, the figure was at about 50,000 visitors but the expansion of the local airport and an influx of cruise visitors has seen that number surge.
While the influx was initially welcomed for its potential conservation funding, the anticipated resources have not yet materialised, leading to challenges in managing visitor impact. As a result, national park managers are exploring strategies such as visitor caps and higher conservation fees to balance tourism and environmental preservation. Such visitor caps have been placed on destinations such as Mount Fuji, with the World Heritage site introducing visitor restrictions in order to protect it from over-tourism.
The rapid tourism growth at Komodo National Park has also created disparities within local communities, limiting economic opportunities for residents. It has been suggested that engaging local stakeholders in sustainable tourism practices could foster a collaborative approach to preserving the Komodo dragon’s habitat for future generations.
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