Protests Against Komodo Island Geopark Project Pour In

The government has closed access to Rinca Island, which is included in the Komodo National Park area, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. According to the Managing Director of the Labuan Bajo Tourism Authority (BOP), Shana Fatina Sukarsono, the closure will run from October 26, 2020, to June 30, 2021, at the Loh Buaya Resort. "For safety and security of tourists, construction process, and animals," Shana said on Monday (10/26).

The Komodo National Park Office will evaluate the closure policy every two weeks. The closure of the area was also aimed to accelerate the arrangement and construction of tourist infrastructure carried out by the Public Works and Housing Ministry. The Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that the development in the national tourism strategic area (KSPN) considers environmental, social, and economic aspects. According to him, the construction at Rinca Island has been on the phase of dismantling the existing buildings and pile installments for several infrastructure projects.