Regional authorities in Indonesia have decided that no more people will be allowed on the islands that are home to the giant reptiles known as Komodo dragons. They say mass tourism to the islands will be stopped, and the people who have settled there will also have to leave.

People have been fascinated by Komodo dragons for many years. It is the world's largest lizard, with sharp teeth, a long tail and venom in its bite. It lives on a few special islands in a corner of eastern Indonesia, and thousands of tourists flock there every year to see it. Many horror films have been made about it, and local residents believe they have a deep bond, in body and mind, with the Komodo dragon.

But the relationship between people and the animal is now changing.

"This island is called Komodo island, so it is only for Komodo dragons, not for people. That is why human rights will not apply here. Only animal rights will," said the region's governor, Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat.

Mr Laiskodat says the island, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, will be closed to people in 2020 and then reopened only to a small number of wealthy visitors. The island's residents will also have to leave.

Indonesia's central government is now considering the proposal.

Komodo island now receives far more visitors than the first parties of explorers who came from Europe at the start of the 20th century.

On the reporting team's first visit to Komodo island, a multi-storey cruise ship was anchored in Loh Liang bay. As soon as the park gate opened at seven in the morning, thousands of tourists began to enter.

Tourist access to the forest is controlled. Each group is given only five minutes to see the Komodo dragons lounging near a nearby canal, then moved on as the next group is brought in.

Tourist Nermin Ataman came from Turkey and was captivated. "They are so beautiful! But scary to look at," she said. "I don't believe in dragons. But when you see these, they look just like them."

Source: BBC Bangla. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.