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Integrating indigenous knowledge and culture in sustainable forest management via global environmental policies

Author

Listed:
  • Scholastica Akalibey

    (Department of Landscape Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Petra Hlaváčková

    (Department of Forest and Wood Product Economics and Policy, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Jiří Schneider

    (Department of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Jitka Fialová

    (Department of Landscape Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Samuel Darkwah

    (Department of Area Studies, Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Albert Ahenkan

    (Department of Public Administration, University of Ghana Business School, Accra, Ghana)

Abstract

This research investigates the intricate connection between indigenous knowledge and sustainable forest management, with two main objectives. It seeks to explore and outline indigenous knowledge, elements, and practices that support sustainable forest management (SFM). It aims to uncover the invaluable traditional insights and practices that have helped preserve and ensure the responsible use of forest ecosystems. Also, it investigated global environmental policies that support indigenous knowledge since the inception of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). A narrative review method was employed to review and analyse peer-reviewed contents and reports to deduce ancestral or traditional wisdom, knowledge, practices, and beliefs from existing studies. The paper extracted data from existing literature from scholarly peer-reviewed journals. It aims to provide useful information for policy-makers, forest managers, and indigenous communities, to promote SFM and the sustainable development goals related to a sustainable environment. The study found that indigenous knowledge (IK) which includes ethnobotanical knowledge and plant selection, mixed land use, seed banks, and cultural beliefs such as sacred groves and taboos are some traditional practices, beliefs, and cultural knowledge that support SFM and can be integrated into international and national environmental management policies which the two-eyed seeing framework (TESF) seeks to promote. The framework highlights the potential of implementing IK into SFM. Also, the Akwé: Kon Guidelines, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), are some global environment policies that recognise traditional people and indigenous knowledge since the commencement of the CBD in the nineties. The paper recommends, for a future study, investigating the applicability of the Akwé: Kon Guidelines in international and national projects and programs that impact traditional sacred lands, forests and rivers, and indigenous people. Also, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement need to fully acknowledge the supporting role of indigenous knowledge and people in climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions, especially in Africa, since the majority of the world's population constitutes indigenous people who inhabit healthy standing forests and ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Scholastica Akalibey & Petra Hlaváčková & Jiří Schneider & Jitka Fialová & Samuel Darkwah & Albert Ahenkan, 2024. "Integrating indigenous knowledge and culture in sustainable forest management via global environmental policies," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(6), pages 265-280.
  • Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:70:y:2024:i:6:id:20-2024-jfs
    DOI: 10.17221/20/2024-JFS
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    References listed on IDEAS

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