VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The government of East Nusa Tenggara supported the Komodo and other threatened species conservation programs implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Flores Island. Deputy Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Josef Nae Soi held a meeting with the coordinator for the conservation program dubbed "Investing in the Komodo Dragon and Other Globally Threatened Species in Flores" (IN-FLORES).

Josef Nae Soi in a press release received on Sunday (9/1) said that the East Nusa Tenggara government is ready to give a support and recommendation letter needed by UNDP for the IN-FLORES implementation for the conservation and community empowerment around the conservation area. He further remarked about the importance of a clear task division between UNDP and the provincial government in the conservation program.

Meanwhile, UNDP's IN-FLORES Program Coordinator, Fransiska Sugi explained that UNDP in cooperation with the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry has submitted the IN-FLORES Program proposal to the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). GEF had granted 80 billion rupiahs funding for a six-year term from 2022 until 2028. Fransiska Sugi also said that the UNDP conservation program will be implemented in Komodo dragon habitats across three regencies, namely West Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Ngada. This program will include the integration of conservation, economic development of the community around the Komodo dragon habitat, and research about Komodo dragon and other flora and fauna around the Komodo conservation area.