Mining threatens Komodo Dragons in Indonesia

[Guest guest]

*http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0824-hance_gold_komodo.html*

*Gold mining threatens world's most infamous reptile, the Komodo dragon

**Jeremy Hance* <http://news.mongabay.com/news-index/jeremy_hance1.html>

*mongabay.com

August 24, 2009

 

 

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*A row has taken off in Indonesia over whether or not to allow gold mining

near Komodo National Park, home to the infamous, venomous, and largest of

all lizards, the Komodo dragon. Eight mines have currently been proposed,

several have already begun exploratory work. Critics of the gold mines

contend that the mining threatens the ecology of the park and the Komodo

dragon, listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

 

" Komodo dragons live here (and only here) and the national park together

with the dragons, coral and fish are integral for what little tourism they

get here. The entire community in the state relies on income generated

either directly or indirectly from this area, " a local source said. " The

locals here don’t want the mine but are powerless to stop it. They have

attempted a blockade but to no avail. "

 

 

The local government and members of the national government have argued that

the mine is far enough away not to impact the park.

 

" I’ve visited the site of the mining company, " Forestry Minister M.S. Kaban

told the *Jakarta Post*. " It’s about 20 kilometers from the Komodo National

Park, so it won’t damage the park's ecosystem. "

 

The head of Komodo National Park, Tamen Sitorus, appears to agree. He was

quoted as saying that the mining was far enough away that it " won’t do any

harm to the national park yet. " He added, however, that if the mines move

beyond the exploratory stage then he will be concerned for the islands'

marine environment, which locals depend on.

 

" All sediment and waste products are to be washed into the ocean into the

current through the national park, " Mongabay's local source said. " Also food

supply will decrease with the oceans being contaminated with soil and

wastes. "

 

One of the mining sites has already come under investigation for allegedly

violating environmental regulations. Officials visited the Chinese-backed

exploratory mine on Batugosok Island saying that the digging began before

the approval of an environmental assessment, which if true, would

violate China's

new environmental guidelines for companies operating

overseas<http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0723-china_rules.html>.

 

 

The findings spurred Indonesia’s Environment Minister, Rachmat Witoelar, to

say that the mine should be shut-down. " I still need to look more into the

report, but we would want it to be closed down, " he said.

 

 

The regional environmental minister, Sudirman, concurred, stating that the

mine had damaged the area’s topography and tourism. He added the company did

not have the documents required pertaining to environmental management and

monitoring. " Batugosok Island was intended for tourism and not mining, " he

told the press.

 

Many believe that regardless of ecological cost the mines will damage

tourism.

 

" 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, " Dambung Lamuara Djaja, a tourism consultant said.

 

Eighty percent of gold mined in the world is used to make jewelry and much

of the mining is done in ecological sensitive areas, such as rainforests.

 

Although it's the headliner, the Komodo dragon is not the only endangered

inhabitant of Komodo National Park. Its main source of prey the Timor

deer *Cervus

timorensis* is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN as well. In addition, nearly

70 percent of the park is marine environment.

 

Created in 1980 over several islands, the park contains half of the world's

Komodo dragons: 2,500 individuals.