Just a short distance from the breathtaking landscapes of Komodo Island, a troubling sight emerges: piles of trash scattered across Monkey Island, an uninhabited island near Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. Despite having no human residents, this small island, known for its monkey population, is becoming a dumping ground for waste. The proximity of Monkey Island to Komodo Island, one of Indonesia’s most prized tourist destinations, raises serious concerns about environmental responsibility in this fragile region.
Traces of Human Activity on a Wild Island
On April 13th, a group of residents from Kampung Ujung in Labuan Bajo, led by environmental activist and vocational school teacher Stefan Rafael, took a 15-minute boat ride to Monkey Island. Their mission was simple: clean up the beach. What they found, however, was alarming.
The island’s shores were littered with waste—everything from plastic wrappers and glass bottles to cardboard and fuel jerry cans. “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this,” said Stefan. “People look for easy places to throw away trash, and an uninhabited island like this becomes a convenient target.”
However, Stefan doesn’t believe the waste is coming from residents. The fuel costs alone to reach the island are too high for anyone to justify simply dumping garbage. This suggests a more complex and troubling source.
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Waste from Boats: Tourism and Fishing Pressures
The West Manggarai Environmental Agency (DLH), which cleaned the island over several weeks in 2024, suspects that much of the trash comes from tourist and fishing boats that dock near Monkey Island. It’s a frequent stopover or anchorage point because it is located between Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island.
This is particularly concerning as Komodo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global icon for biodiversity. The presence of trash on nearby uninhabited islands not only disrupts ecosystems but also threatens the region’s overall image as a pristine nature destination.
The team collected over 400 kilograms of plastic waste during their cleanup mission, returning it to Labuan Bajo for disposal. This volunteer initiative underscores the persistent problem of marine and coastal pollution caused by rising boat traffic and tourism.
A Growing Problem Amid Tourism Boom
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, plastic waste accounted for nearly 29% of the total waste produced in West Manggarai in 2024, which translates to approximately 15,000 tons. This staggering figure highlights a growing concern as tourism blossoms in the breathtaking Komodo National Park area.
With increasing numbers of travellers flocking to experience the awe-inspiring landscapes of Komodo Island and its pristine surroundings, managing waste becomes ever more critical. Effective waste management must include land, nearby seas, and uninhabited islands, all of which are susceptible to pollution.
If robust regulations and thorough education programs are not implemented for both boat operators and tourists. Remote locations, such as Monkey Island, face severe environmental degradation, which threatens their natural beauty and overall ecological well-being.
