CONSERVATION and SUSTAINABLE USE of MEDICINAL PLANTS (CSMPP)

CONSERVATION and SUSTAINABLE USE of MEDICINAL PLANTS (CSMPP) Medhin Zewdu Project Coordinator CSMPP@telecom.net.et

Project objectives • The major objectives of the project are capacity building (IPR & field genebank) • validation of traditional medicine (safety and efficacy) for treatment of both human and animal disease and; • in-situ conservation in and around the Bale Mountains National Park Area.

Detailed activities • Establishing medicinal plants field genebank • Developing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and policy guidelines. • Conduct ethnomedical survey to explore utilization of medicinal plants and traditional health practices for the prevention of HIV and mitigation of adverse impacts of AIDS. • Conduct research on the propagation and cultivation methods of selected indigenous medicinal plants for human and livestock diseases.

...activities • Phytochemical studies including, extraction, standardization, safety and efficacy testing, dosage determination and formulation. • Development of a National Medicinal Plants Database (NMDP). • An in-depth socio-economic survey

…activities • identify villagers/users having greatest impact on wild populations of medicinal plants through harvesting and other activities and • identify villagers/farmers for on-farm pilot propagation & cultivation trials of medicinal plants to reduce pressure from wild populations.

…activities • An in-depth biological survey and assessment of in-situ and ex-situ conservation, zoning of key areas within the Park Development and implementation of appropriate management options and guidelines for sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants.

...activities • Marketing and utilization of medicinal plants by THPs in and around the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP). • Piloting of farmer based cultivation trials for a selected number of threatened and indigenous medicinal plant species on the boundaries, in home gardens and in buffer zones of the National Park. • Training of (a) relevant personnel in the conservation and management of medicinal plants (b) farmers for pilot propagation and cultivation and management.

Expected outputs • Field gene bank established serving research and conservation efforts. • Guideline for sustainable harvest of medicinal plants. • Cultivation practices of medicinal plants and develop sense of ownership of communities over the resources.

…outputs • Three phytomedicine for human diseases dosage formulated (tapeworm infections, broncho pneumonia and hypertension) • Three phytomedicine for animal diseases (tapeworm infections, mastitis and dermatophilosis) developed. • IPR policy guideline for sharing IK

Constraints • Project components were described in the absence of clarity as to the detailed activities to be undertaken under each component. Involvement of communities was not designed properly. • Communication among the various stakeholders including communities was not strong; both vertical and horizontal

Learning Exchange • SOP experts in China, India and South Korea • ESTC team in China • IBCR, ESTC, THA, EHNRI & CSMPP in India & Sri Lanka.

Lessons learnt from the exchange • The approach in communities’ involvement • Designing income generating activities as incentive • Creating market opportunities (Export and local) • Formalizing Traditional Medicine; institutional setups. Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants project:

…lessons learnt • Institutional set up of traditional medicine • Role of Self Help Groups • Role of Women in cultivation and production of herbal medicine • Role of ITC in PHC Indian experience: various

..lessons learnt • TBGRI linkage with communities • Award for the model for benefit sharing • Ethnomedical documentation • Etc.

Follow-up of study tour • 1. Documentation of IK • v Dynamic farmer based crop genetic resources in-situ conservation project; supported by GEF • v CSMPP in traditional medicine; FVM ethnoveterinary survey in two regions; DDR traditional medicine for human use: book is under publishing

progresses • 1. Validation of traditional medicine • Safety and efficacy studies by CSMPP • Ethnomedical survey by DDR; follow up of the survey being proposed • 2. Training to Traditional Health Practitioners including TBAs • Initiative of Women Association of Tigray; 1400 TBAs trained and provided delivery kits

progresses • 1. Institutionalizing Traditional medicine • v DDR/EHNRI • v Ethnobiology department within IBCR • v Tigray Health Bureau initiative to integrate the practice… • 2. Certification of THPs • v Initiative of the project (CSMPP) with the MoH • v Incorporating the program in the Annual plan of the MoH for certification and provision of training

progresses • 1. Policy issues • v IPR guideline being developed by the ESTC • v Access to genetic resources and community benefit sharing. • 2. In-situ and ex-situ conservation techniques • IBCR’s experience, community collaborative works, study tours in different countries, etc.

progresses • 1. Dissemination of experience learnt in South Asian countries • v The Report shared with the MoH • v Introductory workshop conducted in four weredas of Bale zone to farmers and officials of the weredas • v Briefly reported on the Annual Review Workshop of the project • v Study tour organized for a group of ten people to TBGRI, first week of May.

1. Use of IT at community level? • v Satellite distance learning facilities are being setup in the rural areas • v ESTC has started establishing IT centers in small towns.

Next steps • 1. Community based home garden establishment • 2. Designing income generating activities for communities (Technical assistance from IUCN) • 3. Seeking consultancy on involvement of CBOs • 4. Registering THPs in the different regions and develop guideline for certification

CONSERVATION and SUSTAINABLE USE of MEDICINAL PLANTS (CSMPP)