Komodo cruise ship pier plan under scrutiny

A proposal by Indonesia’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, to seek funding from the central government for the construction of a cruise ship pier at the Komodo National Park is meeting some opposition.

The pier would do away with the need for large cruise ships to use small tenders for shuttling passengers to and from the Komodo National Park, famous for its dragons.

In an editorial, Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com) says it “fears that plans for a passenger pier are being made without proper consideration of environmental impact and the carrying capacity of the park”.

“We believe Komodo has much to learn from Ecuador and its management of the Galapagos National Park where careful advance study and continuing monitoring have created strict limits on the number of visitors allowed in the various parts of the Galapagos marine and island reserve,” the editorial adds.

“Good development and tourism planning is always preceded by meticulous planning that, first and foremost, preserves the existing ecosystem without compromise to commercial and other short-term considerations.

“When it comes to sustainable tourism there is no peer to careful planning.

“And, if need be, there is no pier, as well.”