Abstract

Engedasew Andarge , Abraham Shonga , Mathewos Agize * and Asfaw Tora

 This research work was aimed at documenting the traditional management and conservation of indigenous knowledge associated with the use of plant diversity for treatment of human and livestock diseases and medicinal plants found in Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 216 medicinal plants distributed in 69 families were documented through semi-structured interview conducted on 91 traditional healers in this study. The data were analyzed using excel spread sheet and data matrix procedure for preference ranking. Asteraceae was the most frequently used plant family which accounted to 44.93%, followed by Fabaceae and Lamiaceae which were 39.13% and 26.06%, respectively. Most of the traditional healers of the area collect their medicinal plants, about 169 species (78.24%) from the wild and predominantly use herbs 91(42.13%) and leaves account for 89 (41.20%) for medicinal purpose. There was poor utilization and conservation of medicinal plants in the study area. Indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants was gradually disappearing due to secrecy, unwillingness of the young generation to gain the knowledge, and other activities. Initiating pharmacological and biological activity testing of most popularly used traditional medicinal plants, establishing botanical gardens and protected areas with community-based conservation and encouraging the use of home gardens for cultivation of multipurpose plants were needed.