Abstract
The Komodo dragon is one of the most exotic animals of the Wallacea region. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Komodo dragon and the unique biodiversity in the region have created a particularly strained relationship between state interests, local livelihood and tourism developments. This article examines recent antagonisms between national agencies, local interests and livelihoods by describing a unique and relatively unknown case study: the Riung Subdistrict and Sambinasi Village and the protection of the Komodo dragons by the local Baar community. Based on information from 19 qualitative in-depth interviews, and the analysis of a recent local Adat meeting in March 2019, this article shows that the Baar were successful in reclaiming land from the national conservation agencies. Meanwhile, they simultaneously formulated new local customary rules on how to treat the Komodo dragon, hence reclaiming ownership over conservation rules and empowering local institutions. Recently, all parties have subscribed to a new ecotourism agenda for further development of the area. This agenda might reshape relations between national agencies and the local communities, as conservation is increasingly linked to new forces of global tourism.
Highlights
In March 2019 the Baar community, living near the Torong Padang peninsula located at the northwest side of the Riung district in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, sat down in an Adat meeting to discuss local customary rules regarding conservation of land, hunting activities and the protection of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, including the protection of the Komodo dragon
This article has provided a description and analysis of recent local conservation efforts by the Baar community directed towards the Komodo Mbau dragon and their communal lands in the Riung area in Flores
To analyze the historically unique development of conservation in this region, we have analyzed this case study from the perspective of a recent local Adat meeting, and showed how Adat was used as a tool to react to national state conservation efforts
Summary
In March 2019 the Baar community, living near the Torong Padang peninsula located at the northwest side of the Riung district in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, sat down in an Adat meeting to discuss local customary rules regarding conservation of land, hunting activities and the protection of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, including the protection of the Komodo dragon. The case study adds a new perspective to our understanding of current bottom-up conservation efforts in this relatively understudied region and gives us insights in the strained relations between national conservation methods, livelihood and Adat customs of local communities. After forty years of a dominant centralized government Indonesia is still finding a way to establish new working forms of decentralization, while dealing with these new conservation challenges This development has been true for the protection of the Komodo dragon, most notably in the world famous Komodo National Park. Walpole conducted a large survey in Komodo National Park, but did not take the local Adat system into account as the most important forum for communal decision-making
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
