Challenges of using indigenous and local knowledges in management of the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Wetland resources

Abstract

Use of knowledges of localities is increasingly being upheld in addressing increasing challenges of management of natural resources. These knowledges have become important today following the insufficiency of the foreign knowledges imposed in the societies from the modern natural resource management initiatives. Informed by the study which was conducted in the Malagarasi-Muyowozi wetlands, in Western part of Tanzania, this paper presents findings on the challenges faced in using indigenous and local knowledges in management of wetland resources. Through a case study design, mixed methods approach was used, in which interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from 1148 local community members from five villages in the area. The findings revealed that indigenous and local knowledges are used in management of wetlands in the area. It was also found that indigenous and local knowledges are not accepted to the same degree as that of the conventional scientific knowledge. It is therefore recommended that realization of the challenges and awareness creation efforts on effective use and sharing of knowledges irrespective of their locality are important and needed for sustainable management of the resources.