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ALI: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has told the public that it upheld “valid and reliable” standards in establishing Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara as one of the world wonders of nature.

“Don’t allow yourselves to be confused by a popular vote,” UNESCO general director Irina Bokova said on Tuesday.

She said that UNESCO had conducted a scientific study involving experts before announcing the park as one of the wonders, and had not relied on an online vote run by a Swiss-based organization.

“The park has been on our list since 1991. Many people don’t know this,” she said.

Irina explained that a candidate should fulfill at least four requirements to make it onto UNESCO’s list of world wonders, such as a concrete program run by the government or related stakeholders in preserving it, a program to empower local residents, promotion and the establishment of an agency to conserve the wonder.

Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation announced Komodo Dragon Park as one of its seven world wonders of nature on Nov. 11.