Fate of ‘Komodo Family’ Contrasts Beautiful Waters

The currents and underwater creatures of the waters of Komodo in West Manggarai regency, are a great tourist attraction.

Kompas/Ichwan Susanto

The golden sweeper fish (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) live in schools in the clean deep waters of lagoons, along coral walls or in underwater caves. The fish, which can grow up 10 centimeters long, hunt for zooplankton at night. The photo was taken on Aug. 29 at the Shotgun dive site, a channel in Gili Lawa off Komodo Island in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.

The currents and underwater creatures of the waters of Komodo in West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara, are a great tourist attraction. Tourists chase these wonders. Yet, beyond the natural beauty, the local people feel marginalized.

As part of its exploration of the villages of Komodo and Rinca, the boat carrying the Kompas team arrived at Papagarang village on Friday (1/9). Looking dry and brown, the rolling grasslands are considered to be the most barren area of West Manggarai’s Komodo National Park.