Introduction:

The Taita community is rich in indigenous knowledge regarding the use and conservation ofrndifferent plants and this knowledge has been transferred orally through the generations.

Objectives:

Thisrnstudy documented indigenous knowledge related to the use and conservation of medicinal plantsrnfound in the Taita Hills forests

Methodology:

through qualitative group focus discussions and semi-structuredrninterviews on elders living within the forests neighborhood. Qualitative data analysis on focusrngroup discussion and interviews revealed the role of indigenous knowledge in solving healthrnproblems and in conservation of biodiversity

Findings:

The study found that indigenous knowledge of thernTaita had been a major tool used in utilization and conservation of indigenous forests in the past.rnHowever for effective use and conservation of Taita Hills medicinal plants to be attained

Results:

Conclusion:

The Taita community is found to be highlyrnknowledgeable regarding uses of wild plantsrnand how to conserving them usingrnindigenous mechanisms. The commonrnpractices on biodiversity conservation byrnTaita people neighboring the Taita Hillsrnutilized traditional indigenous knowledgernand supported sustainable use ofrnbiodiversity.rnThe Taita people demonstrate a soundrnunderstanding of their indigenous plantrnconservation techniques. Documenting andrncataloguing their indigenous knowledge isrnone way to help to conserve forests as it willrnfoster transfer of the knowledge torngenerations. The government and otherrnstakeholders in conservation of biodiversityrnshould recognize its value and mainstream itrnto their conservation policies and also offerrnprotection against bio-piracy and benefitsrnsuch as those secured through patent rights.rnThere is a need to validation of traditionalrnmedicine and establish safety and efficacyrnstudies and conducting training to traditionalrnhealth practitioners.

Author(s):

Focus County(s):

Taita Taveta County

Programme Area(s):

Natural Products Research & Drug Development (NAPREDA)

Research Priority Area(s):

Disease Domain(s):

Natural Products

Publication Date: 29.May.2012

Conference Title:

Venue: