Abstract:
Studies on the impact of bark harvesting for medicinal purposes on Brackenridgea
zanguebarica revealed a high degree of overexploitation. Conservation effort from all
levels is highly welcomed since it will be contributing towards conservation of this indigenous medicinal plant. It is therefore clear that an integrated approach of taking best
conservation practices from western as well as indigenous systems can be the way to go.
Formation of a Participatory Natural Resource Management Associations in areas where
natural resources are being threatened by unsustainable harvesting practice can help in
bringing together interested stakeholders into the mainstream of protecting such resources. Such associations should be governed by natural resource harvesting policies
with clear objectives around documentation, monitoring and evaluation of harvesting.
These policies should cover ecological, social, as well as economic concerns of stakeholders.
