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

Komodo National Park (KNP) in Indonesia serves as a critical conservation area for the endangered Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) while also supporting sustainable ecotourism. The study highlights that KNP's vast land and marine habitats—covering 603 km² and 1,214 km² respectively—host rich biodiversity, including 277 terrestrial species, 253 coral species, over 1,000 fish species, and 25 whale/dolphin species. The research emphasizes that ecotourism in KNP can foster local economic growth and conservation awareness, but barriers such as limited budgets, low public engagement, and marketing challenges hinder community participation. By integrating conservation with tourism, KNP demonstrates a model for balancing ecological protection with sustainable development.

HIDYARKO, A. I. F., GAYATRI, A. C., RIFA, V. A., Astuti, A., KUSUMANINGRUM, L., MAU, Y. S., RUDIHARTO, H., & SETYAWAN, A. D. (2021). Reviews: Komodo National Park as a conservation area for the komodo species (Varanus komodoensis) and sustainable tourism (ecotourism). International Journal of Tropical Drylands, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.13057/tropdrylands/t050105