- U-Report
VIVA – Komodo Island is one of the wonders in the world which is located in the Nusa Tenggara Islands. Komodo Island is famous as a natural habitat for Komodo dragon. Komodo Island is the westernmost tip of East Nusa Tenggara Province, bordering West Nusa Tenggara Province.
In addition to 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 or called as sterculia oblongata believed to be useful as medicine and the seeds are tasty and delicious like peas.
Komodo Island is an amazing place for tourism, exploring exotic islands, diving into the blue sea, and bathing in the sun and will become part of the diversity of Indonesian beauty.
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 to protect the sustainability of the Komodo dragon. Not only these rare animals, but also to protect various kinds of plants and animals, including marine animals.
Komodo Island as a World Heritage Site
Berwisata ke Pulau Rinca, Kawasan Taman Nasional Komodo, NTT
- ANTARA FOTO/Indrianto Eko Suwarso
Komodo National Park is a national park that has two international statuses set by UNESCO, namely the Biosphere Reserve since 1977 and the World Natural Heritage Site since 1991. Beside of that, in 2012 Komodo National Park was awarded the title as a New 7 Wonder.
By having several international statuses, it means that Komodo National Park does not only belong to the Government of Indonesia but also belongs to the international community.
As quoted by the website of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the mainland area of ??Komodo National Park has vegetation in the form of grasslands and savanna forests around 70%, open deciduous forests around 25% and the rest is quasi-cloud forest and mangrove forest. While the waters have coral reef ecosystems and seagrass beds which are home to various types of marine life.
There are some interesting facts about the island of Komodo that people need to know:
Pantai Pink di Pulau Komodo
- dok. instagram @mariefeandjakesnow
It turns out that this island was discovered in 1910 and has become a habitat for ancient animals, Komodo dragons. This animal is believed to have migrated from Australia and survived in NTT to this day. Then in 2012, Komodo Island was designated as one of the seven wonders of the world.
The beauty of nature and its animals makes 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. Not only that, 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 sand. Komodo Island has cold and hot sea waters. This is due to the confluence of water flowing to the north and south.
How to get to Komodo Island
Pulau Komodo
- VIVA/Bimo Aria
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 airlines that serve the Denpasar-Labuan Bajo route, with a travel time of about half an hour.
Here are some tips when visit the Komodo Island
This place has very hot and humid temperatures. So, make sure you bring a few bottles of drinking water so you don't get dehydrated or thirsty.
Try not to travel alone. Better to go with a tour guide or a national park official. Do not disturb or feed the Komodo dragon even if it is slow and lazy, this animal can suddenly become aggressive and move quickly.
When tracking, you should bring a stick that has two branches. Komodo dragons are usually afraid of being bullied with a stick. Then, when visiting Komodo Island, try to use shoes.
Menstruating women should report to guides or island officials for more attention. Komodo dragons have a keen sense of smell and can become aggressive if they smell blood. Then, bring mosquito repellent or use mosquito repellent lotion. Lastly, it is forbidden to smoke and light a fire when visiting Komodo island.
So, these are information and tips for you when you explore the beauty of Komodo Island.
