Paradise beneath the surface

Most visitors to Indonesia’s Komodo National Park think only of its famed giant lizards but an equally fascinating wonderland lies beneath its aquamarine waves.

YOU may have read my column last week when I wrote about photographing “dragons” in Indonesia’s famed Komodo National Park. The trip was not just about the giant lizards since scuba diving is another highlight of the region.

This area is rich not just in terrestrial flora and fauna but its marine life is equally fabulous.

In most places, it is pristine and virtually untouched, thanks to the remoteness of the area.

The Komodo National Park is situated in West Flores of the Indonesian Province of Nusa Tenggara Barat. It consists of the three main islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar.

The park was established in 1980 to protect the unique Komodo Dragon that is found only here and nowhere else.

In 1986, the park was also declared a Unesco World Heritage Site as well as a Man and Biosphere Reserve. These declarations are indications of the unique and sensitive biodiversity found here.

Full article by Lai Voon Long