Komodo Island is one of the amazing wonders of the world.located in the Nusa Tenggara Islands of Indonesia.
Komodo Island is known as the original habitat of Komodo dragons. This island is also part of the Komodo National Park. Komodo Island is located west of Sumbawa Island, which is separated by the Sape Strait, including the area of Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Komodo Island is the westernmost tip of East Nusa Tenggara Province, bordering West Nusa Tenggara Province.
Apart from Komodo dragons, this island also has a variety of exotic flora, the Sepang wood tree is used by local residents as medicine and clothing dye, the nitak tree (sterculia oblongata) is believed to be useful as medicine and its seeds are as tasty and tasty as peas.
Komodo Island is very amazing, explore exotic islands. Dive into the blue sea, and be bathed in sunlight while seeing traces of past lives that have been preserved and will become part of the variety of Indonesian beauty.
Covering the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, plus other islands covering an area of 1,817 square meters is the native habitat of the Komodo dragon. Komodo National Park was established in 1980 to protect the preservation of the Komodo dragon. Not only these rare animals. .
Komodo Island as a world heritage site
Komodo National Park is a national park that has 2 international statuses established by UNESCO, namely the Biosphere Reserve since 1977 and the World Natural Heritage Site since 1991.
In addition, in 2012 Komodo National Park received the title as the 7 wonders of the world (New 7 Wonder). By holding several of these international statuses, it means that Komodo National Park does not only belong to the Government of Indonesia but also belongs to the international community.
Komodo National Park is the habitat of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) which is the largest lizard in the world and is endemic to Indonesia. The existence of Komodo animals in this area is an attraction for domestic and foreign tourists to visit Komodo National Park.
The land area of Komodo National Park has vegetation in the form of grasslands and savanna forests (70%). Open deciduous forests (25%) and the remainder is quasi-cloud forests and mangrove forests. Meanwhile, the waters have coral reef ecosystems and seagrass beds which are home to various types of marine biota and fish spawning grounds.
In the Komodo National Park area there are three villages with a population of around 4,842 people. On Komodo Island there is 1 village, namely Komodo Village (1,818 people) which is included in the Special Settlement Zone covering an area of 17.6 Ha
, where around 68% of the people make their living in the tourism business sector starting from tour guides, home stay managers, tourist boats, statue craftsmen and souvenir sellers.
Meanwhile, on Rinca Island there are 2 villages, namely Papagarang Village (1,417 people) and Pasir Panjang Village (1,607 people) whose main livelihood is fishermen.
Facts about Komodo Island
This island was discovered in 1910 and has become the habitat of ancient animals, Komodo dragons.
These animals are believed to have migrated from Australia and have survived in NTT to this day.
Komodo National Park has been designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve since 1977 and a World Natural Heritage Site since 1991.
The beauty of nature and its animals make this island not only a tourist spot, but also for scientific research. Scientists from all over the world are interested in seeing the development and evolution of Komodo dragons.
In 2012, Komodo Island was designated as one of the seven wonders of the world.
The July 2017 issue of National Geographic magazine included Komodo Island in the top ten best destinations in the world.
Komodo Island is also famous for its long and beautiful coastline. One of the most popular is Pink Beach with its exotic young sand.
Komodo Island has cold and hot sea waters. This is caused by the meeting of water flowing north and south.
read too : 19 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions if Traveling to Bali
How to get to Komodo Island
If you come from Jakarta, you have to transit in Bali first. From Bali, the journey continues to Labuan Bajo, a small town northwest of Flores which is the gateway to Komodo Island. There are several airline companies that serve the Denpasar-Labuan Bajo route, with a travel time of around half an hour.
Tips for visiting Komodo Island
The temperature in this place is very hot and humid. So make sure you bring several bottles of drinking water so you don’t get dehydrated or thirsty. Don’t go alone.
It’s better to go with a tour guide or national park ranger. Do not disturb or feed the dragons.
Although their movements are slow and lazy, these animals can suddenly become aggressive and move quickly.
When trekking, bring a stick with two branches. Komodo dragons are usually afraid of being bullied with sticks.
Wear shoes. Komodo, Rinca and Pidar islands have 12 types of snakes and 3 of them are poisonous. For example the green snake which lives in trees. The cobra and Russel’s Viper which lives in holes in the savanna grassland.
Women who are menstruating must report to their guide or island officials for greater attention. Komodo dragons have a keen sense of smell and can become aggressive if they smell blood.
Bring mosquito repellent or use anti-mosquito lotion. Most places on Komodo and Rinca Islands are savanna grasslands which can easily catch fire during the dry season. So smoking and lighting fires is prohibited. (*)
