Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Wetland Management in the Wake of Climate Change in Mashonaland East Province: Exploring Potentiated Links

Abstract

Wetlands provide key resources for rural livelihoods in communal landscapes and rural economies world over. For the majority of communal farmers in Zimbabwe, wetlands support diverse communal livelihoods. However, in recent years, wetlands have experienced diverse forms of degradation which in turn affects rural livelihoods. Based on evidence collected from focus group discussions and key informant interviews this paper explores how indigenous knowledge systems is a potential management package for the restoration of wetlands in dire situations. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were handy in capturing collective community knowledge systems. The FGDs also generated commonly employed responses to changes impacting wetlands. Key Informant interviews mainly produced information related to both institutional and unique information associated with identified informants. Wetlands support diverse livelihoods such as gardening, crop farming, livestock grazing and fruit production. Wetland restoration is pivotal in sustaining and reviving these located wetlands and hence benefit the rural poor. Given the holistic, socio-cultural and environmental embedded nature of indigenous knowledge systems, it is worthy embracing local community environmental practices in fostering sustainable wetland management in an era marked by climate change. Results indicate merits of incorporating Indigenous Knowledge Systems in wetland management. Indigenous Knowledge embraces technical, institutional and religious spheres of wisdom. Reincarnation and restoration of these forms of wisdom seems to be sound ammunition of sustaining wetlands in a climate change epoch.