Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
and to assist local people in gaining biodiversity-sensitive livelihoods (KCMI
Project Document
2006
). To achieve these goals, ISL assesses alternative livelihood
schemes based on the sustainable use of marine resources, provides community
development grants, and stimulates the local economy through the development of
sustainable micro-enterprises.
A series of community development activities have been conducted in line with
these three elements. Such activities have included education and training sessions
in seaweed farming, sewing and weaving, and a fish culture project (Mous et al.
2004
). A community-based Financial Management Unit (FMU) was established as
one of the key programs for community development. Its purpose is to manage the
micro-credit programs established through the Sustainable Enterprise Fund (SEF),
set up to support viable and sustainable alternative livelihoods via profitable and
environmentally friendly micro-enterprises. This fund is administered locally by a
committee of community leaders which reviews funding proposals from villages
within the Park and its buffer zone. Enterprises that receive funding are selected
based on their perceived ability to generate economic returns and their contribution
to the conservation of natural resources.
The Park has been successfully generating more employment and revenue
opportunities linked to conservation. Villagers from Komodo have been rearing
goats that are then sold to the Park and offered to the dragons for food (Walpole
2001
). They have been involved in carving Komodo dragons which are then sold to
tourists as souvenirs. The Park has made spaces available in one of the concession
sites in Loh Liang, Komodo Island, where locals can sell their crafts. The Park has
also provided a series of training workshops to improve wood carving skills and has
helped in providing suitable carving tools.
The sustainable financing scheme in Komodo National Park has set up a new fee
system to support conservation. Visitors coming to the park now pay a Tourism Fee
for Conservation. A 1-3 day foreign visitor fee is US$15 (Komodo National Park
web-site
2010
). The fee is channeled back to support management and community
development in the Park. The fee has also supported handicraft training programs for
women's groups in the local villages, whose craft products are then sold to tourists.
The Park also conducts a naturalist guide training program that has attracted young
people from the villages who wish to become professional guides in the park area. The
overall goal of all these activities is to link the local communities into the conservation
goals of the Park and to establish communities as the park's best guardians.
Conclusion
Tourism has the potential to contribute significantly to local employment and
revenues and thus stimulate local socio-economic development (Walpole and
Goodwin
2000
). Ecotourism has become a prominent approach for addressing
socio-economic concerns in a conservation context. Ideally, ecotourism contributes
to conservation and rural development goals by generating revenue for park
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