INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AMONG DERASHE PEOPLE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT Since ancient times, one of the densest indigenous populations in terms of ethnic groups in Ethiopia has been supported by the indigenous knowledge and practice of biodiversity conservation systems in D'erashe woreda. indigenous knowledge and practices of biodiversity conservation systems, such as agroforestry, crop rotation, planting native trees, and protecting land, water, sacred areas, plants, and animals, are still in use in this region. The primary goal of the research was to evaluate and investigate the local indigenous population's knowledge and practices around biodiversity conservation. Focus group dissection, interviews, field observations, and key informant data were gathered. and subjected to qualitative, anthropological, and quantitative analysis, the result revealed a striking existence of indigenous knowledge and practice of biodiversity conservation, such as planting and resource conservation. In addition, they separate the kinds of plants that are appropriate for the conditions before digging and tilling on time before planting trees. Based on plant type, the data showed that the following have steadily disappeared whereas plants have continued to exist in dega, woynadega, and qolla agroecologies. People believe that conserving indigenous biodiversity is preferable, despite the effects of industrialization, the information gap, and negative attitudes. Along with important elements like the decline in native plant life, pruning, burning, modern tree planting, and human perspectives in both agro-ecologies. Additionally, every variable was examined for substantial connection. In order to ensure the continued existence of indigenous knowledge and biodiversity conservation practices, it may be necessary to integrate these practices with current technologies, give recognition to indigenous people, and bring back their traditions.