The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) administration has refused the central government’s recent plan to exchange its famous komodo dragons with China for endangered pandas, an official says.
NTT provincial secretary Frans Salem said on Thursday that the administration had pledged not to move the komodo dragons from their original habitat at Komodo National Park in West Manggarai on Flores to China, and was sure local residents would reject such plans. “The NTT administration and local residents will never grant such a request,” he said.
“The komodo is the province’s most precious asset. If you want to see komodo dragons, visit their original habitat,” Salem said.
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| Northern Komodo Island Indonesia |
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| Komodo Island |
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| Komodo Dragon |
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| Komodo Dragon |
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| Komodo Dragon |
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| Komodo Dragon |
During a visit to Beijing in April, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to swap their iconic animals as a symbolic gesture marking the improved bilateral relationship between both countries.
The plan was later followed up in a meeting held between Vice President Boediono and China’s Vice Premier Hui Liangyu.
Salem said that the province would host the 2013 Sail Komodo with participants from more than 100 countries. “That is why moving komodo dragons from their natural habitat is not a good idea,” he said.
(swd)
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