Jakarta – The government has ensured that any planned tourism development on Padar Island, Komodo National Park, will prioritize environmental sustainability while benefiting the community. The island, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, will be developed adhering to strict ecotourism principles.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that any development in the area must comply with conservation regulations.
“I will ensure that, even if the private sector builds, the most important thing is to protect the ecology. We must not damage the environment or the Komodo dragon’s habitat,” said Raja Juli Antoni.
He explained that utilization of areas within the utilization zone remains possible as long as they are based on scientific studies and undergo a rigorous approval process. Since 2014, PT Komodo Wildlife Ecotourism (PT KWE) has held a tourism utilization permit, but no physical development has yet begun. He stated that any plans will undergo an environmental impact assessment involving UNESCO.
“We will also re-examine the development plans, including the issue of hundreds of villas. We still need to refine the data,” Raja Juli Antoni emphasized.
He ensured that the facility design would not be permanent, but would be easily moved to ensure the ecosystem is maintained.
In line with this, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) researcher Destika Cahyana assessed that the development plan can proceed without problems as long as it complies with regulations and protects the Komodo habitat.
“If the land status complies with regulations, there’s actually no problem. Villas can be built, as long as they don’t damage the environment or the Komodo dragon’s habitat. That’s the main thing,” said Destika Cahyana.
He added that the proportion of green land must remain dominant to prevent erosion and marine damage.
“The balance between green areas and buildings must be maintained. We must avoid exposing land, which could potentially cause erosion and damage the sea,” he added.
Destika also emphasized the importance of involving local communities through cooperatives or BUMDes so that economic benefits can be felt directly.
“As long as everything is maintained and the community is involved, this is actually an opportunity,” he concluded.
With an integrated conservation approach and active community participation, Padar Island has the potential to become a model for sustainable tourism development that preserves its natural beauty while simultaneously driving the regional economy.