Inclusion of Local People and Their Cultural Practices in Biodiversity Conservation: Lessons from Successful Nations

Dickson Adom^1,

¹Department of General Arts Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Cite this paper:
Dickson Adom. Inclusion of Local People and Their Cultural Practices in Biodiversity Conservation: Lessons from Successful Nations. American Journal of Environmental Protection. 2016; 4(3):67-78. doi: 10.12691/env-4-3-2

Abstract

The inclusion of local people and their cultural practices impact positively on biodiversity conservation. This is the underlying factors behind the success stories of countries with high numbers of biological diversity resources. It is sad to reckon that most biodiversity policies of developing countries like Ghana do not fully include the voices of the local people as well as their cultural practices. There was, therefore, the need to thoroughly review the national biodiversity strategies and action plans of some countries that have effectively factored the local people and their cultural practices in their biodiversity policies. This was to elucidate how and in what areas the views of the local people and their cultural practices can be effectively incorporated into biodiversity conservation initiatives. The study utilized qualitative research approach with document analysis method. Related literature on the subject from peer-reviewed manuscripts, biodiversity strategic reports and strategies of different countries were rigorously reviewed and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The study revealed that local people have time-tested conservation knowledge enfolded in their cultural practices like religious beliefs, taboos, etc. Legal backing was seen as the main driving force behind the utilization of the cultural practices of the local people in the biodiversity strategies reviewed. Moreover, the local people were fully involved in the development of the biodiversity strategies. This was seen in the areas of planning, management, and decision-making, recruitment of staff, as well as the dissemination and implementation of the biodiversity strategy. The study concluded that effective biodiversity policies must reflect the cultural practices and the views of local people since they are powerful instruments of conservation. It tasks biodiversity policy designers to fully incorporate local communities and their cultural practices in the development of biodiversity strategies.

Keywords:
national biodiversity strategies conservation cultural practices local communities taboo totem

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Figures

References:

[1]	Abdullahi, J, Usman, I., Samaila, G., and Zuni, A., Importance of Indigenous Knowledge in Biodiversity Conservation: A Case of communities Surrounding Kashimi Forest Reserve, Niger State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal Of Environmental Science, Toxicology And Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402, p-ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 5, Issue 6 (Sep. -Oct. 2013), PP 10-17, www.Iosrjournals.Org.
[2]	Adom, D., Kquofi, S. and Asante, E.A., The High Impacts Of Asante Indigenous Knowledge In Biodiversity Conservation Issues In Ghana: The Case Of The Abono And Essumeja Townships In Ashanti Region, British Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol.4, No.3, pp.63-78, August 2016.
[3]	Adom, D., The Philosophical Epistemologies of Asante Proverbs in Ghana’s biodiversity Conservation, Journal of Environment and Earth Science ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948, Vol. 6, No. 7, 2016.
[4]	Adom, D., Cultural Festival as a Salient Tool for Strategic, Holistic and Sustainable Rural Development in Africa: The Case of the Opemso) Festival of the Asantes of Ghana, Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 3(11), 2016, 4-20.
[5]	Assis de Luiza, A., Zank, S., Peroni, N., and Hanazaki, N., Traditional People and the Conservation of Biodiversity in Brazil, [Online] Available: https://www.bioversityinternational.org/.../3.2.biodiversity_conservation_Brazil.pdf (Accessed December 3, 2016).
[6]	Attuquayefio, D.K., and Fobil, J.N., An overview of Biodiversity Conservation in Ghana: Challenges and prospects. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2005, 7, pp. 1-18.
[7]	Awuah-Nyamekye, S., Managing the Environmental Crisis in Ghana: The Role of African Traditional Religion and Culture- A Case Study of Berekum Traditional Area, Doctoral Thesis, University of Leeds, United Kingdom, 2013. [Online] Available: http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/5780/1 (accessed 2015 October 17).
[8]	Battiste, M., Indigenous Knowledge and Pedagogy in First Nations Education: A Literature Review with Recommendations. Ottawa, ON: Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, 2002.
[9]	Bergmann, S., and Gerten, D., Religion in Climate and environmental Change: Transdisciplinary Perspectives on the Ethics of Climate and Sustainability, Studies in Religion and the Environment 2, 2010, Berlin/Muster/Zurich/Wien/London: LIT.
[10]	Biklen, S. K., and Bodgan, R., Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theories and Methods, Boston, M.A., Pearson A & B, 2007.
[11]	Boamah, D. A., Akan Indigenous Religio-Cultural Beliefs and Environmental Protection: The Role of Taboos, Master of Arts Thesis, Canada, Queens University.
[12]	Bowen, G. A., Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method, Qualitative Research Journal, 2009, Vol. 9, No. 2.
[13]	Cobbinah, P.B., Black, R., and Thwaites, R., Biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in rural Ghana: Impacts and coping strategies, Australia: Charles Sturt University, 2015.
[14]	Colding, J., and Folke, C., Social Taboos: Invisible System of Local Resource Management and Biological Conservation. Ecological Applications, 2001, 11(2): 584-600.
[15]	De Koninck, V., Joint Management of Banteng (Bos javanicus) in a Contested Cultural Landscape: Observations and Implications. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 2005, 10 (2), pp. 123-135.
[16]	Ens, E., Scott, M. L., Rangers, Y. M., Moritz, C. and Pirzl, R. Putting Indigenous Conservation Policy into Practice Delivers Biodiversity and Cultural Benefits. Biodiversity Conservation.
[17]	Forest People Programme, CBD meetings highlight on the vital role indigenous peoples and local communities play in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use., E-Newsletter, 14 December 2015 UK Charity N0. 1082158.
[18]	Gao, H., Ouyang, Z., Chen, S. and van Koppen, C. S. A., Role of Culturally Protected Forests in Biodiversity Conservation in Southeast China, Biodiversity, and Conservation, 2013, 22 (2).
[19]	Golo, B.K., and Yaro, J.A., Reclaiming Stewardship in Ghana: Religion and Climate Change. Nature and Culture, 2013, 8 (3), 282-300.
[20]	Grenier, L., Working with Indigenous Knowledge: A Guide for Researchers, IDRC, Canada, 1998.
[21]	Hefferman, C., Qualitative Research Approach, [Online] Available: http://www.explorable.com, 2013 (Accessed 2 August 2016).
[22]	Hens, L., Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Ghana, Kamla-Raj, Journal of Human Ecology, 20(1), 2006, 21-30.
[23]	Infield, M. and Mugisha, A., Culture, Values, and Conservation: A Review of Perspectives, Policies and Practices, Fauna and Flora International, Cambridge, UK, 2013.
[24]	Jimoh, S.O., Tertsea, I.E., Alarape, A.A., Obioha, E.E. and Adeyemi, A.A., The Role of Traditional Laws and Taboos in Wildlife Conservation in the Oban Hill Sector of Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria, Human Ecology, 39 (3), 2012, 209-219.
[25]	Kumekpor, K. B., Research Methods & Techniques of Social Research, Ghana, SonLife Printing Press and Services, 2002.
[26]	Materer, S., Valdivia, C., and Gilles, J., Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Characteristics and Importance to Climatic Uncertainty, Department of Agricultural Economics Working Paper No. AEWP 2001-2003, Columbia, University of Missouri, 2002.
[27]	Mensah, O.S., and Amoah, S.T., Co-managing Ecosystem services of Forest Reserves in Ghana: The case of the Bobiri Forest Reserve in Kubease in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, 2013.
[28]	Miller, J., Yu, D. S. & van der Veer, P., Religion and Ecological Sustainability in China, London, Routledge, 2014, 248 pp.
[29]	Mogalakwe, M., The Use of Documentary Research Methods in Social Research, African Sociological Review, 10, (1), 2006, pp. 221-230.
[30]	Moller, H., F. Berkes, Lyver, P.O., and Kislalioglu, M., Combining Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Monitoring Populations for Co-Management. Ecology and Society, 2004, 9(3): 2.
[31]	Msuya, T.S., and Kideghesho, J.R., The Role of Traditional Management Practices in Enhancing Sustainable Use and Conservation of Medicinal plants in West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, Tropical Conservation Science, 2009, Vol. 2(1):88-105.
[32]	Myers, N., Mittermeier, R. A., Mittermeier, C. G., Gustavo A. B. and Kent, J., Biodiversity hotspots for Conservation Priorities, Nature, 403, 853-858 , 24 February 2000.
[33]	National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011-2030), Biodiversity Office, SEPA, China, 2011.
[34]	National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (Fifth National Report to the CBD), Ministry of the Environment, Secretariat of Biodiversity and Forests, Center for Information and Documentation, Federal Republic of Brazil, 2015.
[35]	National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan (2012-2020), Council of Ministers for Global Environment Conservation, Japan, 2012.
[36]	National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, The National Environment Secretariat, Nairobi-Kenya, 2000.
[37]	National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), Ministry of Urban Affairs and Environment, Republic of Angola, 2007.
[38]	National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan(NBSAP), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India, 2008.
[39]	National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Vice President’s Office, The United Republic of Tanzania, 2001.
[40]	Negi, C. S., Traditional Culture and Biodiversity Conservation: Examples from Uttarakhand, Central Himalaya, Mountain Research and Development, 2010, 30(3): 259-265.
[41]	Ormsby, A., Analysis of Local Attitudes toward the Sacred groves of Mehalaya and Karnataka, India. St. Petersburg, U.S.A., Department of Environmental Studies, Eckerd College, 2013, Available: [Online] http://www.conservationandsociety.org.2013 (Accessed 5 November 2016).
[42]	Paulsen, D.E., Li, H.-C. and Ku, T.-L., Climate variability in central China over the last 1270 years revealed by high-resolution stalagmite records, Quaternary Science Reviews, 2003, 22: 691-701.
[43]	Pietkiewicz, I., and Smith, J.A., A Practical Guide to Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis in Qualitative Research Psychology, Psychological Journal, 20, 1, 2014, 7-14.
[44]	Pretty, J., Adams, B., Berkes, F., Ferriera de Athayde, S., Dudley, N., Hunn, E., Maffi, L., Milton, K., Rapport, D., Robbins, P., Sterling, E., Stoltin, S., Tsing, A., Vintinner, E., and Pilgrim, S., The Intersections of Biological Diversity and Cultural Diversity: Toward Integration. Conservation and Society, 7(2), 2009, 100-112.
[45]	Smith, J. A., and Osborn, M., Interpretative phenomenological analysis, In Smith, J. A., editor, Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to methods, London, Sage, 2008, [2nd edition].
[46]	Stage, F. K., and Manning, K., Research in the College Context: Approaches and Methods, New York, Brunner-Routledge, 2003, 83-97.
[47]	Traditional Lifestyles and Biodiversity Use, Regional Report: Africa Prepared for the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNEP-WCMC, June 2003, Project number: 1248.
[48]	Warren, D. M., Using Indigenous Knowledge in Agricultural Development, World Bank Discussion Paper No.127, Washington, D.C., The World Bank, 1991.
[49]	Weigand, A. M., Jochum, A., Pfenninger, M., Steinke, D., and Klussmann-Kolb, A., A New Approach to an old conun-drum—DNA barcoding sheds new light on phenotypic plasticity and morphological stasis in micro snails (Gastropoda, Pulmo-nata, Carychiidae), Molecular Ecology Resources, 2011, 11, 255-265.
[50]	Xue, D., Categories of Traditional Knowledge Associated with Protection and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Minority Areas of China, College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, January 11-14, 2008.
[51]	Zeba, S., Community Based Wildlife Management in West Africa: A regional review, Nature Resource Management, Evaluating Eden, DP 09, 1999.