FONDATION IRIS
40 WILD YEARS IN INDONESIA
ALAIN COMPOST
MAWAS BIODIVERSITY
It was in 1975 that Alain Compost sat foot on indonesian soil for the first time, discovering dense forests on barely known islands, inhabited by intriguing traditional tribes but also by rare animals such as orangutans or the elusive Java rhinoceros. As a photographer and wildlife filmmaker, he has been able for the next four decades to gain a unique perspective on the evolution of this country, its nature and its people.
Unfortunately the sad fact today is that the country's exceptional natural wealth has been dramatically damaged over the years and may soon disappear forever.
40 WILD YEARS IN INDONESIA
RETURN TO THE ROOTS
The idea behind the "40 Wild Years in Indonesia", a project supported by Fondation Iris, is to return to the places visited during these 40 years and show through his films and photographs, from village to village, what he has witnessed over the years : how large populations of majestic creatures have been reduced to a few handfuls of individuals forced to survive in sanctuaries, how lives and traditions have been ruined by the destructive practices of exploiting natural forests, but also how poor neighborhoods turned miraculously into prosperous communities thanks to good management of natural resources.
At each stage, welcomed by the local communities in their modest homes and enjoying their legendary hospitality as he did during all these years, he will try to make them aware of the fact that they are the main guardians of their country’s magnificent natural heritage.
In order to reach the widest possible audience, he also plans to communicate regularly on social networks for the duration of the trip.
A BIODIVERSITY EVANGELIST
ON AN ELECTRIC MOTORBIKE
During this electric motorcycle trip, the following 7 major regions will be visited: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, the lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku and West Papua.