Environmental Cultures of Development and Indigenous Knowledge: The Erosion of Traditional Boundaries in Conserving Wetlands in Rural Zimbabwe

Abstract

"This paper is situated in the intersections between environmental cultures, indigenous knowledge, and development in the conservation of wetlands. One case will be explored to illustrate the continuing importance of complexity, context and contingency in our understanding of the intersections between development and indigeneity in local conservation practices in contemporary Zimbabwe. Indigenous knowledge literature emphasizes how small-scale societies and cultures have lived in harmony with nature and practiced sustainable development. In the process, these societies often have constructed profound knowledge of their environment, which is in danger of being lost and/or appropriated. The assertion of the importance of indigenous knowledge and practices is used in Africa to counter the notions that only the western type of development can bring progress. The focus of this paper is on how and in what ways local populations have articulated their knowledge and perspectives in complex settings in Zimbabwes communal lands in light of the water sector reforms. In addition the paper focuses on how indigenous knowledge has been (and is being used by local communities in Bangira, Murombedzi and Kaondera villages (in their own specific ways) to counter (and/or embrace misplaced ideas and practices in the use and conservation of seasonal wetlands to alter and or adjust their situations in the shadow of the water reform process in Zimbabwe. Finding the complex balances between local knowledge and practices with national, ecological and scientific concerns in an ever- changing hydro-ecological environment will continue to be one of the challenges in sustaining wetlands conservation efforts."