Ministry of Forestry Limits Tourist Quota to Visit Komodo National Park

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry, has implemented a policy to limit visitor quotas at Komodo National Park (TN) to preserve the ecosystem and ensure sustainable tourism. The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, made the statement during a Working Meeting with Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) held in Jakarta, Tuesday, April 14-15, 2026, .

Minister Raja Juli Antoni, explained that the restriction is a strategic step to protect Komodo National Park as a major home for wildlife and local communities. The focus of the quota limitation is on three main destinations, namely Padar Island, Rinca Island, and Komodo Island, including 23 diving locations in the surrounding area.

"Our decision to limit the tourist quota is based on research showing that if over-tourism occurs in the long term, it will result in damage to the area and the loss of the tourist attraction itself," Raja Antoni said.

Starting April 1, 2026, the visitor quota is set at 1,000 people per day or approximately 365,000 people per year. The Minister of Forestry emphasized that this policy was not made hastily, but rather has gone thru a long process since May 2025 through various discussions with stakeholders and business actors in Labuan Bajo.

This policy, continued the Minister of Forestry, aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's directive to support eco-tourism that preserves natural wealth while also having a positive impact on community welfare.

Chairperson of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Titiek Soeharto, expressed her support for this conservation initiative. However, she made an important note regarding the social aspect.

"Basically, we agree to preserve the Komodo National Park. However, socialization must be more vigorous, and the government must find solutions for the local communities affected by this policy," Titiek conveyed.

As a solution and alternative tourism step, Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki added an explanation regarding the plan for ex-situ Komodo conservation development.

"In the future, we plan to breed Komodo dragons outside the National Park area. This can serve as an alternative tourist destination for the community without disturbing their natural habitat," the Deputy Minister of Forestry stated during the continuation of the meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

In the conclusion of the Working Meeting, Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives and the Ministry of Forestry agreed on several important points, including the periodic study of the carrying capacity and support capacity of the Komodo National Park area to remain adaptive to current conditions, and to accelerate the development of ex-situ Komodo conservation as part of strengthening the life support system and diversifying tourist destinations.