Experts have urged the central government ban gold mining exploration near the Komodo National Park in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, to help the park win its bid to become one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) chairwoman Siti Maimunah said the West Manggarai administration had issued eight mining permits despite the regency being renowned as an agriculture area and a growing tourism destination, kompas.com reported.
"Mining activities will threaten Komodo," she said in an environment seminar.
Meanwhile, Dambung Lamuara Djaja, a tourism consultant, said the local administration would receive less revenue should mining activities be allowed near the Komodo National Park.
"The Komodo National Park is a national and international icon. It brings the government an annual revenue of Rp 70 billion [US$7 million]. Mining activities near the park will only ruin the park’s image and diminish the government’s revenue," he said.
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