Activists decry ‘Jurassic Park’ plan for Indonesia’s Komodo dragons
- Authorities unveiled a proposal to build a tourist development in Komodo National Park last month, dubbed ‘Jurassic Park’ by critics
- A picture of a Komodo dragon in the path of a truck carrying construction supplies renewed debate over the project, after it was shared widely online
Nearly 3,000 of the world’s biggest lizard species live on a cluster of islands east of Bali, where they grow to around three metres in length and weigh up to 90kg.
The Komodo dragon town in Indonesia that Jokowi wants Chinese tourists to visit
Authorities last month unveiled a proposal to build a tourist development on one of the islands, dubbed “Jurassic Park” after architects published a promotional video of the project set to music from the film franchise.
But environmentalists warned then that it would threaten the already at-risk species.
This week a picture of a Komodo dragon in the path of a truck carrying construction supplies renewed debate over the project, after it was shared widely online.
“The idea to build a Jurassic Park is honestly embarrassing,” said Gregorius Afioma, an activist at local social justice NGO Sunspirit.
“People come here to see Komodos in their natural habitat … these people are selling a concept where [visitors] can walk around indoors to see Komodo dragons, which to me is no different than a zoo,” he added.
Rima Melani Bilaut of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment, added that the development would further threaten the dragons by reducing the size of their habitat.
“If we control it well and minimise contact with wildlife, the current tourism development will not endanger the Komodo population,” said an environment ministry official in a statement this week.