Komodo: Indonesian 'Dragon Island' to remain open, $1000 to enter

Indonesian government reversed its anuncement of closure of Komodo island and introduced a membership scheme to visit home of Komodo dragons. According to authorities, $1,000 membership fee will be charged but precise details of scheme have t been me public, quoted a global brocaster. In July this year, government h planned closure of island for a year, starting January 2020. 

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Two levels of membership scheme

goverr of East Nusa Tenggara Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat said that island will remain open but visitors have to take a $1000 membership scheme. Currently, tourists are charged around $10 to enter land of Komodo dragons. An Indonesian news ncy reported that membership scheme will be at two levels, premium and n-premium. While premium members will be allowed to Komodo island, also kwn as ‘Dragon Island’, n-premium members will be allowed to visit or islands in Komodo national park, except Komodo island.

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Interference in mating cited as a reason for earlier decision

reason given behind earlier decision to close island was to stop tourism from interfering in mating and hatching processes of world’s largest lizards. Komodo Dragons are listed as vulnerable species on IUCN red list. re have also been reports, in past, of attempts of illegal tre of Komodo dragons. In March 2019, a criminal network was busted that was trying to smuggle 41 young Komodo dragons out of Indonesia.

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Nature of Komodo dragons

To protect Komodo dragons population, Komodo national park was founded in 1980. Though dragons are shy in nature and avoid human encounters, it can get aggressive if cornered. In 2017, a tourist was bitten by a Komodo dragon after tourist got too close to reptile. tourist was rescued by locals and rushed to a hospital for treatment.

(With inputs from ncies)

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