Reports from French Polynesia say the government plans to buy a privately owned atoll which is a UNESCO protected site.
Taiaro atoll in French Polynesia Photo: website Vladi Private Islands
Taiaro atoll has a land area of 16 square kilometres and is in the Tuamotus.
Media reports said the government is preparing to purchase the atoll for $US3 million although the price advertised on the internet is more than $US8 million.
The uninhabited atoll was the declared a biosphere reserve in 1977.
