Biocultural values in Borena Sayint National Park, North-Eastern Ethiopia: Contributions of ethno botany for ecotourism diversification

Abstract

Humans’ cultural perception of certain plants and interaction with the natural environment shape the biocultural traditions of societies living around protected areas. The study was conducted in Borena Sayint National Park, north-eastern Ethiopia between March 2015 and February 2016. Its main objective was to retrieve biocultural values linked with the landscape and biodiversity. Accounts of biocultural values were retrieved from a snowball sample of 100 informants and focus group discussion made with 25 elders. Names of plants mentioned for any biocultural value were recorded and voucher specimens collected. Data management and analysis was conducted using Excel 2007. The coordinate points of each GPS readings were analyzed to make map of the study area using ArcGIS Version 9.3 Software. R software was used to make climate diagram. Potential ecotourism attractions deriving from local plant use culture and reports on antique human-environment relationships were described. Twenty-nine plant species in 27 genera and 20 families were recorded. Twenty plant species are locally perceived for their mythological values, 10 plant species for their social values. The taxa are recognized for 1-14 of 28 alternative local plant uses. Biocultural values add to the ecotourism potential of the national park. The national park management and the Culture and Tourism Bureau can consider the identified biocultural values and others in their on-going efforts to diversify ecotourism attractions in BSNP to advance the fledgling national park to an outstanding ecotourism platform in the region and in Ethiopia.