The link above ends in an error, but you can read about it here as well https://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/500-fee-tipped-for-seeing-komodo-dragons/ news-story/7f87fca588c10d62afa8b009a33b9405 - "Those who don't have enough money shouldn't come because this place is for extraordinary people."

I've visited the site a few years ago, and enjoyed it, but that sounds ridiculous!

Any idea when these new rules are meant to take effect? I visited Komodo NP in 1997, and am planning to revisit during my trip next summer. Thanks

My guess is that this actually won't happen at all. It sounds like a regional politician is trying to make a proclamation aimed at generating more revenue for his state, even though the all policies of the park are, presumably, defined by the national government of Indonesia.

Here is the corrected link from the original post:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/11/22/deep-pockets-only-prepare-to-pay-us500- to-visit-komodo-national-park.html

From the small number of comments posted to that article, it seems that most people think this would be a crazy idea.

I have also been considering going to Komodo as part of a future trip, but if this fee increase goes through I would most likely skip it, since I am clearly not "extraordinary" enough.

This is stupid anyway, there was no evidence that the fire was started by a tourist, the guides all smoked and in Sumatra they smoke in the rainforest. Flores has no proper waste management and locals throw the trash in the sea, throw anchors onto pristine corals, plus they catch baby sharks for selling on the markets. Those things are much worse than reducing the income brought in by tourists. Politicians don't look at real situations from their coushy desk job.