THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: A CASE OF MARAK’A WOREDA, DAWURO ZONE, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA PEOPLES REGION.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the indigenous knowledge and practices on natural resource management in Marak’a woreda. The objective of this study was to investigate the indigenous knowledge and practices on natural resource management in Marak’a woreda. The study was conducted with the utilization of a descriptive type of qualitative anthropological research method by using both primary and secondary data sources with appropriate data collection methods such as interview, FGD, observation, and document review. Generally, the major finding of the study shows the use of a wide range of indigenous knowledge and practices in natural resource management, including in the human and spiritual worlds, as well as biological and physical attributes that contribute to sustainable resource management. The role of humans in this case is to protect and sustain the equilibrium of the systems and to abide by the established distance and respect for every relationship. Moreover, the dif erent indigenous knowledge and practices have a function in adapting to climate change. Soil erosion, water scarcity, and loss of plant cover were the environmental problems of the study. Local people have been employing various indigenous practices to solve the problems. These local people solve environmental problems people of the study area have their own traditional ecological knowledge that has sustained the natural resources to present. The customary laws of practices have played a great role in natural resource conservation. Different indigenous practices in soil and water conservation, as well as plant management, of people in the area were identified. Traditional beliefs also contributed to natural resource conservation, besides their main purpose in the area. The study asserted that farmers have valuable knowledge of natural resource conservation in the area; however, their practice needs some kind of improvement for sustainability. Moreover, the influencing challenges for the practice are both environmental and socio-economic factors. Such challenges are the expansion of farmland, poverty, the weakening of traditional governance, and the influence of formal education and Christianity. It is concluded that deep-rooted indigenous conservation needs to be assured to sustain resource use. Finally, based on the findings, recommendations are forwarded.