Komodo National Park consists of three large islands of Komodo, Padar and Rinca islands as well as 26 large islands / other small group of islands which is a Volcanic. There are 11 mountains / hills in the Park, in which the highest peak is Mount Satalibo (± 735 meters above sea level). The total area of Komodo National Park is about 1817 km2 consisting of 603 km2 and 1214 km2 land area. There are 277 species of animal that is a mix of animals coming from Asia and Australia, which consists of 37 species of reptiles, 32 species of mammals and 128 species of birds. There are also coral reefs in this area, about 253 species of reef-building corals, and about 1,000 species of fish. The beauty of this reef attracts foreign tourists to swim or dive in these waters. Group of islands in commodity Park area is inhabited by about 4000 residents. As the name given by the Dutch when they found this region, there is a largest lizard in the world that are considered as the ancient creatures of today; it is KOMODO. The natural state of this region is dry and arid makes this place unique and distinctive. The existence of vast savannas, water resources are limited and temperatures hot enough, it turns out to be the habitat favored by many kind of ancient animals, like Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis).
Komodo, or a full-called "Komodo dragons" (Varanus komodoensis), is the world's largest lizard species that live on the island of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami in Nusa Tenggara. This iguana is also called the local name "ora" by the natives of Komodo island. Komodo dragons are found by Dutch researchers in 1910, is a member of the family of lizards Varanidae, and Toxicofera klad, komodos are the largest lizards in the world, with the average length of 2-3 m. Its Large size is associated with symptoms of island gigantism, the tendency for the giant body of certain animals that live in small island linked to the absence of mammalian carnivores on the island where dragons live, and the rate of metabolism of small dragons. Because of its giant body, these lizards occupy the position of a top predator that dominates its place of living ecosystems. Its giant body and its scary reputation make them this animal really popular in the zoo.The Habitat of komodos in the wild on the volcanic islands have been shrinking due to human activities and therefore the IUCN include dragons as a vulnerable specias to be extincted. These large lizards are protected under Indonesian law in Komodo National Park.
Most of the Komodo National Park is a savanna area with palm trees (Borassus flabellifer), which is the most dominant and distinctive plants. Some plants that exist in the Park, such as rattan (Calamus sp.), Bamboo (Bambusa sp.), Acid (Tamarindus indica), bulging (Sterculia foetida), lote (Ziziphus jujuba), and mangrove (Rhizophora sp.)
In Komodo National Park, besides the unique komodo, there are also deer (Cervus timorensis floresiensis), wild boar (Sus scrofa), ajag (Cuon alpinus javanicus), wild horse (Equus qaballus), wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), 2 species of sea turtles , 10 species of dolphins, 6 species of whales and dugongs are often seen in marine waters of Komodo National Park. Meanwhile, in the sea national park, in which becomes the potential of marine life, there were 253 types of coral and 1,000 species of fish such as barracuda, marlin, yellow tail, red snapper, baronang, and others.
Komodo National Park is a national asset which belongs to the Indonesian people who had the support of technical assistance to its management internationally, and has been designated as World Natural Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Savanna as Komodo’s Habitat
Many tourists come to visit the Komodo National Park. Most of the Tourists who visit the Komodo National Park are foreign tourists, where they know this national park with their own term "own world". As far as the eye could see there are field of savanna with a few tall palm trees that towered into the sky background of a series of hills and mountains, arid and barren impression on savanna, but crowd by some of the sound of birds and wild horses, and of course the Giant Lizard Reptile. Swimming and bathing under the hot sun and blue sea of Flores, is a world unto itself and the most unforgettable experience by the tourists. Komodo National Park is finally selected as one of 28 finalists in a vote the Seven Wonders of Nature (New 7 Wonders of Nature) New7Wonders organization held on July 21, 2009. The other finalists are the natural attractions that have already been famous, like the Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef, and Amazon rain forest. In addition, there are also some objects that may not have heard before, such as Azerbaijan and Jeita Mud Mountain Grotto in Lebanon.
With the passage of the Komodo National Park, it means that only one more a final phase before the conservation area for the largest reptile in the world will become one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. A panel of experts chose the 28 finalists from 77 nominees, which were selected in the first round of voting. Panel chaired by Federico Mayor, former Chairman of the Organization of Education, Culture, and Sciences of the United Nations (UNESCO), chose the finalists based on geographical balance, diversity, and its value for human life.
In an effort to win for "Komodo Island is the NEW 7 Wonders of The World". You can vote KOMODO Island as one of the New Seven Wonder of the World on Nature Category. Voting end at 11.11.11
Some intersting locations / attractions to be visited:
Loh Liang: The main entrance to the wildlife observation activities on monsoon forest, in which bordered by white sand beaches and cultural tourism.
Pulau Lasa, Red Beach, Loh Bo and Sebita: Diving and snorkeling with dive shop facilities and glass bottom boat.
Banu Nggulung: wildlife observation.
The best visiting season: March to June and October to December each year.
How to reach the location:
Denpasar-Mataram-Bima-Sape (travel overland and ferry) for two days. From Sape national park by ferry.
Denpasar-Labuan Bajo by plane in twice a week, and by ferry or speedboat from Labuan Bajo to the Park.
Office: Jl. Kasimo, Labuan Bajo
86 554 West Flores, East Nusa Tenggara
Indonesia
Tel. (0385) 41004, 41005
Fax. (0385) 41006
E-mail: tnkomodo@indosat.net.id
Issued: Minister of Forestry, 1990
Designated: Minister of Forestry Decree No. 306/Kpts-II/95
Area: 173,300 hectares
Defined ---
Location: Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province
Indonesia
Temperature 17 ° - 43 ° C
Rainfall: 800-1000 mm / year
Altitude: 0-735 m asl
Geographical Location: 8 ° 23 '- 8 ° 50' S, 119 ° 22 '- 119 ° 49' east longitude
Source :
http://www.komodonationalpark.org
http://www.komodonationalpark.org
