Padar Island littering video renews focus on Indonesia’s conservation laws

Padar Island, one of Indonesia’s most photographed tourist destinations, has attracted renewed attention after a video circulating on social media appeared to show a Chinese tourist allegedly littering in the protected area of Komodo National Park.

The incident, which was recorded by other visitors, prompted an immediate reaction from several tourists at the site, including Australians who confronted the man over the alleged act.

A video first uploaded by Instagram account @jay_gojes shows an Australian woman pouring water from a bottle over a man accused of throwing rubbish onto the ground. In the footage, she can also be heard saying, “Shame on you.”

The account captioned the video: “After littering on Padar Island, a Chinese tourist was splashed with water and scolded by several Australian tourists.”

While the confrontation itself generated discussion online, the incident has also drawn attention to Indonesia’s strict regulations governing visitor behaviour in conservation areas, particularly within Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Padar Island forms part of Komodo National Park

Located in East Nusa Tenggara province, Padar Island is one of the three main islands within Komodo National Park, alongside Komodo Island and Rinca Island.

The island is known for its dramatic hills, panoramic viewpoints and distinctive crescent-shaped beaches. It has become one of Indonesia’s most popular tourist attractions and is frequently featured in international travel promotions.

As part of a protected conservation area, tourism activities on the island are regulated by the Komodo National Park Authority (Balai Taman Nasional Komodo, or BTNK).

Visitors are required to follow rules intended to preserve the park’s ecosystems, wildlife and natural landscape.

Authorities have repeatedly warned that rubbish left by visitors can damage the environment, spoil the scenery and pose risks to wildlife living within the national park.

Plastic waste, food packaging, drink bottles and cigarette butts can remain in the environment for extended periods and may be accidentally consumed by animals.

Conservation law prohibits activities that damage national parks

Indonesia’s legal framework for protecting conservation areas is set out in Law No. 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.

Article 33 paragraph (3) of the law states that individuals are prohibited from carrying out activities that are inconsistent with the functions of national park utilisation zones and other protected areas.

The provision serves as a basis for authorities to take action against activities that interfere with conservation objectives, including littering.

According to the law, any action that causes damage to a national park area may lead to criminal penalties.

Under Article 40, violations of Article 33 paragraph (3), whether committed intentionally or through negligence, may result in imprisonment of up to one year and fines in accordance with the provisions of the legislation if the act causes damage to the conservation area.

Separate waste management law bans littering

Littering is also prohibited under Law No. 18 of 2008 on Waste Management.

Article 29 paragraph (1) letter (e) states that individuals are prohibited from disposing of waste anywhere other than designated disposal facilities.

The regulation applies to all people within Indonesia, including domestic and foreign tourists.

As a result, visitors to Padar Island are required either to carry their rubbish out of the conservation area or dispose of it at designated facilities provided by park management.

Authorities consider waste left on hiking trails, beaches, grassland areas or hidden among rocks and vegetation to be a violation of the law.

The legislation also provides a legal basis for local governments and site managers to impose sanctions, including administrative penalties, fines and other measures permitted under local regulations.

Park authorities can take direct action

Beyond national legislation, the Komodo National Park Authority has the power to enforce regulations within the protected area.

Park rangers and field officers may intervene when visitors are found to have violated park rules, including through littering or other activities deemed harmful to the environment.

Administrative measures can include warnings, orders to clean affected areas and other sanctions permitted under park management regulations.

Authorities may also record the identities of offenders as part of enforcement procedures.

Offenders may face access restrictions

Tourists found to have intentionally damaged conservation areas may face further consequences beyond administrative penalties.

Under its management authority, the Komodo National Park Authority can impose restrictions on future access to the park.

Officials may record the identities of individuals who violate conservation rules, potentially leading to temporary bans on entering protected areas within the national park.

Authorities say such measures are intended to support enforcement efforts and help protect the conservation area from future violations.

A globally recognised conservation area

Komodo National Park was established in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard, and the surrounding ecosystem.

In 1991, the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its unique biodiversity and ecological significance.

The park attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and is considered one of Indonesia’s premier tourism destinations.

Environmental officials have frequently stressed that preserving the area requires cooperation from visitors, tour operators and local communities.

Rubbish left behind by tourists can take years, and in some cases centuries, to decompose. Plastic waste is of particular concern because it can be carried by wind and ocean currents, affecting coastal habitats and marine ecosystems throughout the region.

The incident on Padar Island has renewed attention on visitor responsibilities within Indonesia’s protected areas, where conservation regulations apply equally to domestic and international tourists.