JAKARTA: A popular tourist destination Komodo Island will be closed to residence and tourism as of the beginning of 2020, Anadolu Agency reported, quoting tourism agency of East Nusa Tenggara on Thursday.
The shutdown is planned to be a year long to improve the ecological conditions and to preserve the environment.
Officials say Indonesian President Joko Widodo confirmed the decision after visiting the island.
The estimated amount for the island's rehabilitation is 100 billion rupiahs (US$7 million).
Residents of Komodo Island protested the plan to evacuate the island.
Komodo Island is one of Indonesia's 12 largest marine tourism centres. -- BERNAMA