[imagesource: Sotherby’s]

Honestly, I am devastated that one of the “most intact coral atoll ecosystems left on Earth” is being punted for development rights.

It might be lovely for “private members, special guests, and top conservationists wishing to experience one of Earth’s last great wildernesses” to visit the secluded Widi Reserve being auctioned for “potential eco-conscious development”.

But what about the “animal kingdom of epic proportions, home to hundreds of rare and endangered species including Blue Whales, Whale Sharks, 600 documented species of marine mammals, fish, birds, insects and lizards, and species yet to be discovered”?

Development, no matter how eco, and nature at that scale should not be allowed to go hand-in-hand.

Can’t we leave one smidgen of paradise uninhibited by humans?

Image: Sotheby’s

The Widi Reserve and its 315 000-hectare protected marine area, home to over a hundred Indonesian islands, is in the heart of a geographical area known as the Coral Triangle in the very east of Indonesia.

The islands have remained uninhabited and totally untouched by human activity, but now Sotheby’s has been entrusted with auctioning off this extraordinary destination.

Sotheby’s is apparently holding the auction so that the future buyer can turn it into a sustainable destination and help preserve the Widi Reserve ecosystem, per Travel and Leisure India.

Not sure why the Indonesian government couldn’t have just slapped an environmental protection order on it and left it at that. Alas, when there is money to be made, Mother Nature takes a backseat.

Image: Sotheby’s

Usually, the Indonesian authorities do not allow foreign buyers to purchase islands, so this auction is already atypical.

Hopefully, whoever gets their hands on this “otherworldly paradise” will stick to Sotheby’s request to make it an eco-responsible project that protects the unique biodiversity and not a trendy new travel hotspot that wreaks havoc.

I mean, most of Bali is a sore case in point regarding the latter.

The auction will only be authorised for development if the future buyer respects certain environmental requirements. For example, the developer’s rights currently only authorise the opening of 500 rooms spread over 17 islands.

Image: Sotheby’s

The fact that the Widi Reserve is a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Bali should keep it exclusive enough. But that also means an airstrip will need to be built, concreting over the green.

Image: Sotheby’s

Here are the details of the auction:

As a get around, the exclusive licenses for the development and management of the Widi Reserve are held by a holding company called PT. Leadership Islands Indonesia. The auction, held December 8-14 in New York, will actually be an investment in this Indonesian company to gain control of the nature reserve.

Hotel development plans have already been devised and take the form of eco-lodges, designed by Bill Bensley, an American architect known for his luxurious projects. Moreover, buyers will need to prove they have the financial means to purchase this gem, since a bidder deposit of $100,000 is required to take part.

You can also find out more details about the Widi Reserve auction at Sotheby’s.

[source:travelandleisureindia]