ABSTRACT
In 1999, the WWF Cameroon Policy Unit initiated a project to investigate the potential for protected area research policies to better define terms for researcher-protected area relationships in line with the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The elements of research relationships investigated included the need for prior informed consent, behaviour during the research process and benefit-sharing. Numerous individuals from government, protected areas management, botanic gardens, universities, NGOs and international research institutions were interviewed, in order to determine the nature of research underway within the country and key issues that might be addressed in a policy. A draft policy has been formulated and is under review by government and protected area managers.
