On Padar Island, in the Komodo National Park, a project is being prepared that could forever change one of the last sanctuaries of Komodo dragons. PT Komodo Wildlife Ecotourism has received a 55-year concession to develop 274 hectares and intends to turn the wild landscape into a luxurious resort: 448 villas—ranging from modest 60 m² to a master villa at 306 m², dozens of restaurants, spas, dive centers, and even a wedding chapel.
Environmentalists are sounding the alarm: key hunting grounds and dragon nests are located precisely in the valleys where the main construction is planned. Mass construction will disrupt migration corridors, and the constant human presence could alter the animals' natural behavior—from nesting to hunting. An additional risk is related to waste: if dragons start feeding at resort dumps, they may lose their hunting instinct and become more aggressive toward humans.
Investors have introduced a set of protective measures: all buildings will be raised on stilts, construction sites will be fenced, and work will be immediately halted if nests are found. Staff are promised training to work in the wild environment, and a waste disposal system should completely prevent predators' access to waste.
Park head Hendrikus Rani Siga reminds: “Komodo dragons do not recognize borders and even enter villages, so the standards here must be unprecedentedly strict.”
Source: detik
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