Benard Tumwekwatse
On a global scale, medicinal plants contribute greatly to traditional healthcare systems, especially in regions with limited access to modern medicine. In Uganda, many plant species are used to treat various diseases and ailments to support local livelihoods. Most of these plants are found in natural ecosystems such as forests and rangelands. However, these habitats are currently facing increasing threats from human activities, particularly in areas adjacent to conservation sites like the Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve (KCFR). There is overharvesting of these plants driven by both traditional and commercial demand which disrupts ecosystems and threatens the sustainability of these valuable medicinal resources for future generations.
This project hence aims to address the increasing threats to important medicinal plant species within and around the KCFR, a biodiversity-rich reserve in southwestern Uganda . Due to unsustainable harvesting practices in this reserve, populations of key medicinal plants including Warburgia ugandensis, Prunus africana, Xanthoxylum gilleti and Citropsis articulata are currently under great threat and their population are reducing at an increasing rate.
The project will implement a comprehensive approach to protect these species by conducting ecological surveys to assess their current status and extraction methods. In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, there will be development of medicinal plants’ restoration strategies including seedling propagation and enrichment planting within KCFR. Additionally, community-based domestication programs will be introduced to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants on farms and in home gardens to reduce harvesting pressure on wild populations.
A great focus will be put on raising awareness among local stakeholders about sustainable harvesting techniques and promoting conservation regulations to protect medicinal plant species. Through targeted training sessions and the establishment of community-managed tree nurseries, communities will be empowered to cultivate medicinal plants sustainably. The project also aims to ensure the long-term availability of medicinal plant resources by enhancing conservation efforts, restoring forest health and providing alternative livelihoods for adjacent communities while promoting environmental sustainability.
The expected outcomes of this initiative include increased population sizes of target species, improved survival rates of seedlings in the wild and communities and community adoption of domestication practices. These efforts will contribute to the preservation of indigenous knowledge and traditions while reducing the risks associated with overharvesting. Generally, the project will improve the conservation status of threatened medicinal plants and create a sustainable model for forest-based livelihoods in southwestern Uganda.