Economic valuation of Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis, ouwens 1912) and its contribution to locally-generated revenue of West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province

Abstract

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is one of the largest reptiles in the world. Komodo dragons are listed in the Appendix I Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and categorized as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) due to the limited demographic demarcation and distribution. In achieving sustainable resource utilization, knowledge of the value of natural resources as a whole is required, both tangible and intangible values. Komodo dragon has intangible value in the form of existence value. Therefore, the value of komodo dragon is necessary to know, because it shows the potential of these resources and to be considered in making appropriate management/policy planning for the sustainability of Komodo National Park tourism, as well as the instruments to preserve the species of Varanus komodoensis in their natural habitat. The purposes of this study are to estimate the economic value of Varanus komodoensis, which is the main attraction of Komodo National Park ecotourism, as an instrument of conservation, and to calculate the contribution of Komodo National Park tourism to Locally-Generated Revenue of West Manggarai Regency. Estimation of Varanus komodoensis value was obtained by using Individual Travel Cost Method (TCM). The results of this research is the value of Komodo National Park is Rp 5,995,232,147,515.00. If that value is divided by the average of komodo dragon population from 2012 to 2016 that is 2,841 individuals, then the value of each individual komodo dragon per year is Rp 2,110,254,188.00. Komodo National Park tourism contributed 44% in the retribution of Locally-Generated Revenue and 5% in the Locally-Generated Revenue of West Manggarai Regency.