Reviews: Komodo National Park as a conservation area for the komodo species (Varanus komodoensis) and sustainable tourism (ecotourism)

Abstract. Hidyarko AIF, Gayatri AC, Rifa VA, Astuti A, Kusumaningrum L, Mau YS, Rudiharto H, Setyawan AD. 2021. Komodo National Park as a conservation area for the komodo species (Varanus komodoensis) and sustainable ecotourism. Intl J Trop Drylands 5: 27-40. Komodo National Park (East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia) is a biodiversity conservation area with the main aim to protect the original habitat and remaining population of Komodo dragon species (Varanus komodoensis Ouwens, 1912). Nonetheless, the area also has great potential as one of the objects of tourist attraction. The purpose of this study is to see the sustainable function of conservation and tourism in Komodo National Park. Komodo National Park covers land area of more than 603 square kilometers and 1214 square kilometers of marine habitat. The land habitats have 277 species of animals while the marine habitats have 253 species of corals, more than 1,000 species of fish, and 25 species of whales and dolphins. One of the main attractions of the Komodo National Park area is the ancient giant reptile of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). The tourism management of Komodo National Park (KNP) is currently done through an ecotourism approach. The tourism zone is determined based on part of the Komodo National Park which has the potential for land and marine tourism with a diversity of flora and fauna. The participation of communities living around KNP in the ecotourism business can increase local economics and conservation awareness; as well as their participation in conservation. Meanwhile, the factors that hinder community participation in tourism development are limited budget, apathy and low public awareness, fluctuations in tourist visits, and difficulties in marketing ecotourism products.