The Indonesian government is looking to close the popular Komodo National Park to tourists beginning August 2019. Authorities say the closure is needed to protect the Komodo dragon population. Tourism companies say it could hurt the economy. Our correspondent Silkina Ahluwalia has more from Jakarta.

The Indonesian government has decided to temporarily close the highly popular Komodo National Park to tourists and visitors. Although the plan is considered to have a significant impact on regional income, experts say the move is important to boost the Komodo dragon population on the island. 

Wildlife smuggling is also a huge concern in Indonesia. Police in East Java recently arrested five people accused of smuggling Komodo dragons and other protected animals on social media, supposedly for medicinal purposes.

LUKAS ADHYAKSO CONSERVATION DIRECTOR, WWF INDONESIA "It is a worrying situation. What used to be traditional businesses have now moved to online and because of that it's very difficult to trace, but the government has also taken few steps including the investigation in the cyber-crime unit to try to mitigate the trading of wildlife specimens online."

However, many tourism agencies are worried that their businesses will collapse if the Komodo park is completely closed for a long time. In 2017, more than 120,000 tourists visited the park and between January to August of 2018, the total national park visitors exceeded 126,000 people.

TEDJO ISKANDAR INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXPERT "As you know many big investments are doing there. There are many new hotels, they invest in transportation, they invest the boats, lives aboard. They invest the diving equipment. Years by years, the government of Indonesia is promoting in Wonderful Indonesia with the logo of this giant lizard, our lovely Komodo and suddenly you stop. And as we know our overseas friends plan up to 3 to 4 years before."

Tedjo says the problem is not tourism, but rather unsupervised locals that turn to smuggling.

SILKINA AHLUWALIA JAKARTA, INDONESIA "Indonesia's Environment Ministry says the closure will not only help to increase the Komodo Dragon's population in the park, it will also allow them to develop better tourism facilities, in return contribute more income to the region. Silkina Ahluwalia, CGTN, Jakarta."