Something Different To Knew

Komodo is situated approximately 200 nautical miles (370 Km's) east of Bali between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa. Komodo's symbol of international fame is it's dragons, the world's largest living lizard. Indonesia declared Komodo as a National Park in 1980, and in 1992 it was declared a World Heritage Site. It protects 239,000 hectares including 75,000 hectares of land on four major and numerous minor islands.

As with most of Indonesia, Komodo rises up from a volcanic region of tectonic uplift, rising between two great continental plates. This string of volcanic islands of Eastern Indonesia make up the south western reaches of what is known as the "Ring of Fire". Both above and below the sea, Komodo represents a unique range of geological and biological diversity. On shore it is an amazing museum diorama of the Mesozoic era - dry tundra and reptilian supremacy. With densly wooded valleys, rich with bird and terrestrial life.

In addition to the world famous Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis), the larger inhabitants are buffalos, Rusu deer, monkeys, pigs, and horses. Further down the scale, indigenous frogs, snakes and lizards abound on the island, not to forget the aptly named endemic Komodo Rat. Over 150 species of birds have been identified in Komodo National Park, many of which are migratory and more representative of Australasian than Asiatic species. Distinctive species include Megapodes, Yellow-Crested Cockatoos, Imperial Pigeons, White-breasted Sea Eagles and Maleos.

Komodo National Park Conservation Fund PT Putri Naga Komodo (PT PNK) will start collecting contributions for a Conservation Fund from all visitors to Komodo National Park in the context of the Komodo Collaborative Management Initiative (KCMI) on May 1, 2006. All contributions to the Conservation Fund will be used to support nature conservation, local communities and tourism promotion.

The contribution depends on the length of stay in Komodo National Park. For the period May 2006 – December 2006, contributions per visitor are as follows:

Length of Stay Indonesian/Kitas Holder Per Visitor Foriegn 1 – 3 Days Rp 75,000 US$ 15.00 4 – 8 Days Rp125,000 US$ 25.00 9 – 15 Days Rp 175,000 US$ 35.00 16 Days or more Rp 225,000 US$ 45.00 Plus an additional 40,000 Rupiah for other fees and local taxes * 50% discount will be granted for visitors below 16 years of age

Contributions are payable in US Dollars or at the equivalent in Indonesian Rupiah at the prevailing rate. Visitors will receive a ticket that remains valid for one visit.

The Komodo Collaborative Management Initiative (KCMI) is a partnership program between the KomodoNational Park authority, PT PNK, and the government of Manggarai Barat. The purpose of the Initiative is to make the Park financially self-supporting through contributions from eco-tourism. The Initiative is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Park authority and PT PNK, dated November 1, 2003. Implementation of KCMI programs by PT PNK is authorized through the Ministry of Forestry (IPPA-SK 195/Menhut-II?2004), the Directorate-General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (Letter No. S.558/IV-KK/2005) the Park authority (Letter S.3025/W.T24/KSM/2005), and the Decree of the Head of Manggarai Barat Regency regarding the Formation of Komodo National Park Community Consultative Committee No. 134/KEP/HK/2005.

1. Merokok
Para Ilmuwan telah menetapkan dengan percobaan bahwa merokok satu batang setelah makan sama dengan merokok 10 batang pada waktu yang lainnya. Artinya kerusakan dan penyakit yang diakibatkan oleh satu batang rokok setelah makan setara dengan kerusakan dan penyakit yang diakibatkan oleh 10 batang rokok.

2. Memakan buah-buahan secara langsung
Sesungguhnya mengkonsumsi buah-buahan setelah makan akan menyebabkan terisinya perut dengan udara. Oleh karena itu dianjurkan memakan buah-buahan 1 jam sebelum atau sesudah makan.

3. Langsung minum teh
Dikarenakan daun-daun teh mengandung banyak unsur kimia karbon,dimana bahan kimia ini akan mempengaruhi protein yang ada pada makanan yang kita makan dan menjadikan keras sehingga sulit dicerna.

4. Melonggarkan sabuk di perut
Melonggarkan sabuk setelah makan akan menyebabkan mulasnya lambung dan kebuntuannya (penyumbatan usus).

5. Mandi
Langsung mandi setelah makan akan menyebabkan mengalirnya darah ke penghujung tubuh, iaitu ke ujung tangan dan kaki. Akibatnya jumlah darah yang mengalir ke sekitar lambung menjadi sedikit. Hal ini menyebabkan lemahnya proses pencernaan.

6. Berjalan
Termasuk kesalahan fatal adalah keyakinan orang terhadap pernyataan "jika engkau berjalan 100 langkah setelah makan, sesungguhnya engkau akan menikmati kesehatanmu hingga usia 99 tahun." Ini adalah pernyataan yang salah, dimana langsung berjalan setelah makan akan menyebabkan lemahnya proses pencernaan.

7. Tidur
Sesungguhnya langsung tidur setelah makan akan menyebabkan tidak sempurnanya proses pencernaan sehingga akan mnyebabkan kerusakan lambung atau radang usus.