A 100-island tropical paradise archipelago has gone up for sale to the highest bidder, but the decision has been slammed by environmentalists.
The development rights to an entire Indonesian archipelago will be auctioned off next week via Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions in New York.
However, the move has sparked concerns from environmentalists, who are worried that the if the 100 tropical islands come into the wrong hands, they might impact what has been described as “one of the most intact coral atoll ecosystems left on Earth ”.
The completely uninhabited Widi Reserve is based in a marine-protected zone in the “Coral Triangle” area of eastern Indonesia, and is spread out over 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres).
While the sale of islands to non-Indonesians is banned under Indonesian law, buyers will instead have to bid for shares with the PT Leadership Islands Indonesia (LII).
This is an Indonesian development firm that has licensed the rights to build an eco-resort and luxury residential properties on the reserve.
Despite this, the auction has left conservationists fearful that the development could cut off local communities and threaten the ecosystems around.
It is home to 25,000 acres of rainforest, mangroves, lagoons, lakes and coral reefs that feature 600 documented species of marine mammals - including endangered whale sharks and blue whales.
The decision to sell off the archipelago and build at least 50 properties on the reserve has prompted Mohamad Abdi Suhufan, the national coordinator at Destructive Fishing Watch Indonesia, to urge the Indonesian government to investigate the sale.
He says that it has already caused “controversy and captured the attention of the Indonesian public,” adding that the planned development would “impact the local community socially and economically”.
Mr Abdi Suhufan added: “Fishing spots for fishermen that have been used for generations will be limited.
“The social impact of this plan will offset the environmental benefits. Currently, the government is aggressively attracting foreign investment to obtain state revenue. No rules should be changed to pass this plan.”
And local environmentalist Iwan Sofiawan said: “How can it be guaranteed that these islands will not be exploited for tourism activities? And how about access for the local communities after the islands become privately owned?”
However, Charlie Smith, Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions’ executive vice-president, told the Guardian that development firm LII plan to touch “less than 1 per cent of the rainforest” and “0.005 per cent of the entire reserve,” which would also include no-go areas for tourists.
Also included in the development plans are a private airstrip that can serve guests from destinations such as Bali, Jakarta, and Cairns in Australia.
However, to clarify the legality, the new owner will not own islands themselves.
Instead, they will own the development rights, which will mean that no investors can build anything on the archipelago without their approval.
In a separate press statement, Smith added: “Every billionaire can own a private island, but only one can own this exclusive opportunity spread across 100-plus islands."
Meanwhile, the vision for the development and the permissions involved in the sale, has been explained on the Sotheby’s website.
It states: “Leadership Islands Indonesia (LII) has spent several years carefully master-planning, designing and licensing one of the most environmentally sensitive, low-density luxury resort and residency developments in the world.
"The opportunity to conserve and sustainably develop the Widi Reserve by acquiring interests in LII presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”
While the listing does not state an expected starting price, in order to be considered for purchase, bidders are asked to put down a US$100,000 (£83,500) deposit.
The winner will also be required to invest “a substantial amount” into the development.
The reserve will be up for auction from December 8 to December 14.
