BIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY PROTOCOLS AS A
COMMUNITY-BASED RESPONSE TO THE CBD
PART I / CHAPTER 2
relationship with the ecosystem. Studies in the Kumbhalgarh
Sanctuary have shown not only how the panther population
3.3
Conserving Medicinal Plants and
Animal Genetic Resources
in the region has been sustained by our livestock, but also the
negative impacts caused by the exclusion of livestock from the
3.3.1 Medicinal Plants and Culture
Sanctuary such as conflict over increased encroachment by
The traditional healers we spoke to all explained how they
panthers into villages.
hold TK about the uses of certain plants, and as a result,
Just as our breeds are unique because of the areas we graze
they specifically set out to conserve the plants from which
them in, so the forests, gauchar and oran have evolved into
they sustainably harvested. In this case, TK leads directly to
particular kinds of pastoral-based ecosystems because of our
conservation. The Gunis of Rajasthan, for example, have
long-term interaction with them. We are integral to the forests,
three specific ways in which they conserve the medicinal
gauchar and oran: we cannot survive without them and they
plants they use. The following is an excerpt from their BCP:
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will suffer without us.
As a group, we conserve medicinal plants through home
The Samburu pastoralists in Kenya explain that they have
herbal gardens and dharam bageechas (self-managed
a symbiotic relationship with the land, stating that as keepers
medicinal plants development areas) and share our
of indigenous and exotic breeds of livestock, their lives are
knowledge with each other and our students to ensure its
interlinked with and wholly dependent on their animals.
continued development. In this way, the valuing of our
Because their way of life also allows them to coexist with
knowledge by our communities leads to conservation, and
wildlife, they promote the in situ conservation of biodiversity.
the sustainable use of medicinal plants is leading to the
In their BCP, they say:
development of traditional knowledge.
We live in an area of the world that is incredibly rich in plants,
Herbal gardens: We each have our own herbal gardens at our
wildlife and other environmental resources. Many parts of the
houses in which we grow the most important plants. Often these
world used to be populated by wild animals that ranged across
gardens are up to half an acre in size. We feel that every home
the land, but have been depopulated because of the actions
should have an herbal garden and promote the growing of the
of man. In contrast, wherever possible we live alongside
most widely used plants for common ailments by villagers near
important animals such as lions, elephants, zebras, gazelles,
their homes and along the verges of fields. Presently, there are
klipspringers and wild dogs. Near watering holes you will also
already over 10,000 herbal gardens in Rajasthan, but we want
see bustards, the world’s heaviest bird, as well as hornbills and
to promote a further increase in numbers.
birds of prey such as eagles.
Dharam Bageechis: Some of us have been given land by the
We also have customary laws that guard against
village on which to grow medicinal plants in a wild setting,
environmental degradation. For example, a recent decision
which we call dharam bageechis. Dharma is translated into
by the Loisukutan Forest Committee has determined that,
English as meaning selflessness or selfless service, and
because of the importance of the forest for fruits, honey, water
bageechis is orchard. Thus dharam bageechis literally
and wildlife, its use for grazing and wood must be limited. The
means “gardens of service.” While we look after the areas, we
committee also decides about access to seasonal grazing areas.
see them as a community resource upon which we draw to
Our pastoral way of life promotes the conservation of our
treat community members. By closing the area to grazing,
important indigenous breeds of livestock alongside world
many medicinal plants grow leading to their regeneration to
renowned wildlife. We have a right to continue to live according
naturally abundant levels. We also specifically propagate
to our values that promote the sustainable use of our livestock
certain species that are not initially found within the dharam
while ensuring conservation of the wider environment.
6.
7.
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bageechis or are particularly endangered.
Supra note 4.
Supra note 2.
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