THE Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Disaster Management, has warned international researchers to apply for permission before conducting research in the country.
The warning came about following reports of tourists conducting research while travelling to Rendova Island in Western province.
This is for them to comply with the law of the country because they will take notes and might take some research object with them when they leave the country.
“The tourists must get permission from the government before conducting any research in the country,” a statement from the Ministry said.
A tour guide who led the tourists hiking in the Rendova mountains clarifies that the tourists did not take any research objects of Solomon Islands’ origin when they left Rendova.
“The tourists know our law so they abide by our law,” the tour guide said.
The tour guide added that they just saw the environment and animals and talked more about them to the tour guides and rangers because they knew them from their studies.
This has promoted the Ministry to monitor tourists who are coming to the country to do what they are here for and not any other job without the permission of the National Government.
The Ministry warned that if any international researcher wants to do research they must apply directly to the government and the government must approve their application before they can conduct their research.
The Ministry did not stop international researchers from coming and doing their studies in the country, but they must comply with the law of the country.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
