ABSTRACT
USP then drafted a proposal to the Biodiversity Conservation Network (BCN), which provided initial funding for a ‘planning grant’, during which time arrangements were to be made with a biodiversity prospecting partner and further consultations with communities undertaken. The original project concept was to work only in Ucunivanua, the chiefly village of Verata. During discussions with the high chief of Verata, the chief expressed his wish that the project would involve all eight villages of Verata. A primary objective of the project was to link biodiversity prospecting (as an alternative incomegenerating activity) to conservation of local resources. A series of workshops was held in 1996 to identify priority conservation issues for the communities.
