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LOCATION :
Komodo National Park lies in the Wallacea Region of
Indonesia, identified by WWF and Conservation
International as a global conservation priority area.
The Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and
Flores at the border of the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT)
and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTP) provinces. It includes
three major islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and
numerous smaller islands together totaling 603 km2 of
land. The total size of Komodo National Park is
presently 1,817 km2. Proposed extensions of 25 km2 of
land (Banta Island) and 479 km2 of marine waters would
bring the total surface area up to 2,321 km2. (Click
on the map to enlarge - 70kB)
HISTORY :
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was
declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere
Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park was initially
established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus
komodoensis), first discovered by the scientific world
in 1911 by J.K.H. Van Steyn. Since then conservation
goals have expanded to protecting its entire
biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.
The majority of the people in and around the Park are
fishermen originally from Bima (Sumbawa), Manggarai,
South Flores, and South Sulawesi. Those from South
Sulawesi are from the Suku Bajau or Bugis ethnic
groups. The Suku Bajau were originally nomadic and
moved from location to location in the region of
Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku, to make their
livelihoods. Descendents of the original people of
Komodo, the Ata Modo, still live in Komodo, but there
are no pure blood people left and their culture and
language is slowly being integrated with the recent
migrants.
Little is known of the early history of the Komodo
islanders. They were subjects of the Sultanate of Bima,
although the island’s remoteness from Bima meant its
affairs were probably little troubled by the Sultanate
other than by occasional demand for tribute.
DEMOGRAPHICS :
There are presently almost 4,000 inhabitants living
within the park spread out over four settlements
(Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, and Papagaran). All villages
existed prior to 1980 before the area was declared a
national park. In 1928 there were only 30 people
living in Komodo Village, and approximately 250 people
on Rinca Island in 1930. The population increased
rapidly, and by 1999, there were 281 families
numbering 1,169 people on Komodo, meaning that the
local population had increased exponentially. Komodo
Village has had the highest population increase of the
villages within the Park, mostly due to migration by
people from Sape, Manggarai, Madura, and South
Sulawesi. The number of buildings in Kampung Komodo
has increased rapidly from 30 houses in 1958, to 194
houses in 1994, and 270 houses in 2000. Papagaran
village is similar in size, with 258 families totaling
1,078 people. As of 1999, Rinca’s population was 835,
and Kerora's population was 185 people. The total
population currently living in the Park is 3,267
people, while 16,816 people live in the area
immediately surrounding the Park.
EDUCATION :
The average level of education in the villages of
Komodo National Park is grade four of elementary
school. There is an elementary school located in each
of the villages, but new students are not recruited
each year. On average, each village has four classes
and four teachers. Most of the children from the small
islands in the Kecamatan Komodo (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora,
Papagaran, Mesa) do not finish elementary school. Less
than 10% of those which do graduate from elementary
school will continue to high school since the major
economic opportunity (fishing) does not require
further education. Children must be sent to Labuan
Bajo to attend high school, but this is rarely done in
fishermen’s families.
HEALTH :
Most of the villages located in and around the Park
have few fresh water facilities available, if any,
particularly during the dry season. Water quality
declines during this time period and many people
become ill. Malaria and diarrhea are rampant in the
area. On Mesa island, with a population of around
1,500 people, there is no fresh water available. Fresh
water is brought by boat in jerrycans from Labuan Bajo.
Each family needs an average of Rp 100,000.- per month
to buy fresh water (2000). Almost every village has a
local medical facility with staff, and at least a
paramedic. The quality of medical care facilities is
low.
SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ANTHROPOLOGIC CONDITIONS :
Traditional Customs: Traditional communities in
Komodo, Flores and Sumbawa have been subjected to
outside influences and the influence of traditional
customs is dwindling. Television, radio, and increased
mobility have all played a part in accelerating the
rate of change. There has been a steady influx of
migrants into the area. At the moment nearly all
villages consist of more than one ethnic group.
Religion: The majority of fishermen living in the
villages in the vicinity of the Park are Muslims.
Hajis have a strong influence in the dynamics of
community development. Fishermen hailing from South
Sulawesi (Bajau, Bugis) and Bima are mostly Moslems.
The community from Manggarai are mostly Christians.
Anthropology and Language: There are several cultural
sites within the Park, particularly on Komodo Island.
These sites are not well documented, however, and
there are many questions concerning the history of
human inhabitance on the island. Outside the Park, in
Warloka village on Flores, there is a Chinese trading
post remnant of some interest. Archeological finds
from this site have been looted in the recent past.
Most communities in and around the Park can speak
Bahasa Indonesia. Bajo language is the language used
for daily communication in most communities.
TERRESTRIAL PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT :
Topography: The topography is varied, with slopes from
0 – 80%. There is little flat ground, and that is
generally located near the beach. The altitude varies
from sea level to 735 m above sea level. The highest
peak is Gunung Satalibo on Komodo Island.
Geology: The islands in Komodo National Park are
volcanic in origin. The area is at the juncture of two
continental plates: Sahul and Sunda. The friction of
these two plates has led to large volcanic eruptions
and caused the up-thrusting of coral reefs. Although
there are no active volcanoes in the park, tremors
from Gili Banta (last eruption 1957) and Gunung
Sangeang Api (last eruption 1996) are common. West
Komodo probably formed during the Jurasic era
approximately 130 million years ago. East Komodo,
Rinca, and Padar probably formed approximately 49
million years ago during the Eocene era.
Climate: Komodo National Park has little or no
rainfall for approximately 8 months of the year, and
is strongly impacted by monsoonal rains. High humidity
levels year round are only found in the quasi-cloud
forests on mountain tops and ridges. Temperatures
generally range from 170C to 340C, with an average
humidity level of 36%. From November through March the
wind is from the west and causes large waves that hit
the entire length of Komodo island’s west beach. From
April through October the wind is dry and large waves
hit the south beaches of Rinca and Komodo islands.
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS :
The terrestrial ecosystems are strongly affected by
the climate: a lengthy dry season with high
temperatures and low rainfall, and seasonal monsoon
rains. The Park is situated in a transition zone
between Australian and Asian flora and fauna.
Terrestrial ecosystems include open grass-woodland
savanna, tropical deciduous (monsoon) forest, and
quasi cloud forest.
Due to the dry climate, terrestrial plant species
richness is relatively low. The majority of
terrestrial species are xerophytic and have specific
adaptations to help them obtain and retain water. Past
fires have selected for species that are fire-adapted,
such as some grass species and shrubs. Terrestrial
plants found in Komodo National Park include grasses,
shrubs, orchids, and trees. Important food tree
species for the local fauna include Jatropha curkas,
Zizyphus sp., Opuntia sp., Tamarindus indicus,
Borassus flabellifer, Sterculia foetida, Ficus sp.,
Cicus sp., ‘Kedongdong hutan’ (Saruga floribunda), and
‘Kesambi’ (Schleichera oleosa).
TERRESTRIAL FAUNA :
The terrestrial fauna is of rather poor diversity in
comparison to the marine fauna. The number of
terrestrial animal species found in the Park is not
high, but the area is important from a conservation
perspective as some species are endemic.. Many of the
mammals are Asiatic in origin (e.g., deer, pig,
macaques, civet). Several of the reptiles and birds
are Australian in origin. These include the
orange-footed scrub fowl, the lesser sulpher-crested
cockatoo and the nosy friarbird.
Reptiles: The most famous of Komodo National Park's
reptiles is the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis).
It is among the world's largest reptiles and can reach
3 meters or more in length and weigh over 70kg. To
find out more about this fascinating creature click
here.
Other than the Komodo Dragon twelve terrestrial snake
species are found on the island. including the cobra (Naja
naja sputatrix), Russel’s pit viper (Vipera russeli),
and the green tree vipers (Trimeresurus albolabris).
Lizards include 9 skink species (Scinidae), geckos (Gekkonidae),
limbless lizards (Dibamidae), and, of course, the
monitor lizards (Varanidae). Frogs include the Asian
Bullfrog (Kaloula baleata), Oreophyne jeffersoniana
and Oreophyne darewskyi. They are typically found at
higher, moister altitudes.
Mammals: Mammals include the Timor deer (Cervus
timorensis), the main prey of the Komodo dragon,
horses (Equus sp.), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis),
wild boar (Sus scrofa vittatus), long-tailed macaques
(Macaca fascicularis), palm civets (Paradoxurus
hermaphroditus lehmanni), the endemic Rinca rat (Rattus
rintjanus), and fruit bats. One can also find goats,
dogs and domestic cats.
Birds: One of the main bird species is the
orange-footed scrub fowl (Megapodius reinwardti), a
ground dwelling bird. In areas of savanna, 27 species
were observed. Geopelia striata and Streptopelia
chinensis were the most common species. In mixed
deciduous habitat, 28 bird species were observed, and
Philemon buceroides, Ducula aenea, and Zosterops
chloris were the most common.
MARINE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT :
The marine area constitutes 67% of the Park. The open
waters in the Park are between 100 and 200 m deep. The
straits between Rinca and Flores and between Padar and
Rinca, are relatively shallow (30 to 70 m deep), with
strong tidal currents. The combination of strong
currents, coral reefs and islets make navigation
around the islands in Komodo National Park difficult
and dangerous. Sheltered deep anchorage is available
at the bay of Loh Liang on Komodo’s east coast, the
South East coast of Padar, and the bays of Loh Kima
and Loh Dasami on Rinca.
In the North of the Park water temperature ranges
between 25 – 29°C. In the middle, the temperature
ranges between 24 and 28°C. The temperatures are
lowest in the South, ranging from 22 – 28°C. Water
salinity is about 34 ppt and the water is quite clear,
although the waters closer to the islands are
relatively more turbid.
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS :
Indonesia is the only equatorial region in the world
where there is an exchange of marine flora and fauna
between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Passages in
Nusa Tenggara (formerly the Lesser Sunda Islands)
between the Sunda and Sahul shelves allow movement
between the Pacific and Indian oceans. The three main
ecosystems in Komodo National Park are sea grass beds,
coral reefs, and mangrove forests. The Park is
probably a regular cetacean migration route.
MARINE FLORA :
The three major coastal marine plants are algae, sea
grasses and mangrove trees. Algae are primitive
plants, which do not have true roots, leaves or stems.
An important reef-building algae is the red coralline
algae, which actually secretes a hard limestone
skeleton that can encrust and cement dead coral
together. Sea grasses are modern plants that produce
flowers, fruits and seeds for reproduction. As their
name suggests, they generally look like large blades
of grass growing underwater in sand near the shore.
Thallasia sp. and Zastera spp. are the common species
found in the Park. Mangroves trees can live in salty
soil or water, and are found throughout the Park. An
assessment of mangrove resources identified at least
19 species of true mangroves and several more species
of mangrove associates within the Park's borders.
MARINE FAUNA :
Komodo National Park includes one of the world's
richest marine environments. It consists of forams,
cnidaria (includes over 260 species of reef building
coral), sponges (70 species), ascidians, marine worms,
mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, cartilaginous and
bony fishes (over 1,000 species), marine reptiles, and
marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and dugongs). Some
notable species with high commercial value include sea
cucumbers (Holothuria), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus
undulatus), and groupers. |
