Komodo National Park as a conservation area for the komodo species (Varanus komodoensis) and sustainable tourism (ecotourism)

Abstract. Hidyarko AIF, Gayatri AC, Rifa VA, Astuti A, Kusumaningrum L, Mau YS, Setyawan AD. 2021. Komodo National Park as a conservation area for the komodo species (Varanus komodoensis) and sustainable tourism (ecotourism). Intl J Trop Drylands 5: 27-41. Komodo National Park is a protected area that functions to protect biodiversity, where a protected ecosystem will become inexhaustible, potential germplasm that can be developed to meet future needs. The Komodo National Park is the original habitat for Komodo dragon species (Varanus komodoensis) and one of the objects of tourist attraction. The purpose of this study is to see the sustainable function of conservation and tourism in Komodo National Park. Komodo National Park has 2 attractions, namely natural tourist attractions and
tourist attractions. The tourism management of Komodo National Park (KNP) is currently through an ecotourism approach. The tourism zone is determined based on part of the Komodo National Park which has the potential for land and marine tourism with a diversity of flora and fauna. The main feature of Komodo National Park is the existence of the ancient giant reptile Komodo dragon as well as an effort to protect the drag so that it does not occur extinction so that protected areas need to be implemented in this area. Komodo National Park has a diversity of flora and fauna in Indonesia that must be protected and preserved, the aquatic fauna between the waters of Cheilinus fasciatus, Scarus flavipectoralis, Ctenochaetus striatus, Scolopsis margaritifer, and land fauna such as Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). The development of ecotourism in protected areas must pay attention to the suitability of the use patterns in the conditions of Komodo National Park.