Island occasionally banned nature study in central location (5)

I believe the answer is:

nauru

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'island' is the definition.
(island nation)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for nauru that I've seen before include "Pacific republic, formerly Pleasant Island" , "SW Pacific republic" , "Pacific coral island republic, once rich in phosphates" , "Pacific island country" , "little nation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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