The Influence of Indigenous Knowledge On Environmental Management. A Case Study of Lwemiyaga Sub-County, Ssembabule District, Uganda.

Abstract

Due to increased global environmental challenges and its emerging problems, it is evidenced that decision-makers have realised that scientific knowledge alone is insufficient to solve them hence the knowledge of the local people often refered to as 1K is increasingly recognised as an important source of environmental management. The main objective of the study was to examine the influence of indigenous 1K in environmental management and the specific objectives were to identify the IKS and practices, determine the various contributions of 1K on conservation of natural resources and management of the environment, find out the disadvantages of incorporating 1K in environmental management. The methods and materials used in collection of data included; questionnaires, interview guide, observation and the sample size was 50 respondents. The findings were: IKS included a system of crop management like weeding. thinning. prunning, mulching, ways of soil conservation were; using animal wastes, crop wastes, poultry droppings and fallowing, tree management practices were; prunning, thinning, pollarding, and trenching. disease treatment and management were isolation. herbs, traditional healing and ritual performances. The contributions of 1K on natural resource conservation and management of the environment icluded; increased vegetation cover, preservation of wild resources, increased quality and quantity of water and increased soil fertility. The disadvantages of incorporating indigenous knowledge in environmental management included; extiction of flora and fauna. reduced rain fall, air pollution, violation of the rights of children, sex discrimination, child sacrifice. demostic violance. In conclusion therefore, The IKS included a system of growing crops and the highest was bananas (42%) and the least was grondnuts (6%). This is because bananas is the staple food in the area. The highest local management system of these crops was weeding (52%) and the least was pollarding (4%). This is because the area is highly infested with weeds. In terms of increasing soil fertility, the highest method was addition of animal wastes (50%) and the least was fallowing (9%). This is because animal wastes like cow dung are readily available due to many herds of cattle reared. The highest tree management practices was prunning (4O%) and the least was trenching (4%). Prunning is the most practice carried out to allows trees grow taller lbr better wood products. l’he highest preferecl tree species was eucalyptus trees (44%) and the least was oranges (9%). ~l his is because of various peoples’ needs it meets like poles. fuel wood among others. The highest disease was malaria (40%) and the least was tuberculosis (2%). This is because of various breeding places for mosquitoes and also poor protection measures including beliefs and myths attached to the disease. The highest treatment method was use of herbs (60%) and the least was through ritual performances (6%). This is due to availability of information regarding use of traditional herbs. The ix contributions of 1K to natural resource conservation and management of the environment, increased quality and quantity of water (40%) was the highest and the least was increased air quality (2%). This is because water is scarce in the area and therefore highly conserved. The disadvantages of incorporating 1K in environmental management include; negative practices like bush burning (60%) and the least was swamp reclaimation (4%). This is because fire is used to clear land for cultivation and killing ticks. Negative traditional practices on human beings, the highest was early marriages (40%) and the least was man eating (6%). This is because early marriages are a source of wealth in terms of bride price. From the above conclusion i therefore recommend the following; motivation, developing a data base, incorporating 1K in school can~iculum, creating awareness and sensitisation