Conservation of Insect Pollinators through Indigenous Traditional and Western Scientific Knowledge

Abstract

Though useful indigenous knowledge systems are abound they are often overlooked by Western scientific research and development because of the oral tradition and certain inherent limitations in indigenous knowledge systems. This paper explores the usefulness of insect pollinators, harmful practices to the insect pollinators and their conservation, traditional indigenous knowledge that exists about insect pollinators, as well as the need for infusion of traditional indigenous knowledge and western scientific knowledge in the conservation and preservation of insect pollinators. The paper espouses the numerous benefits of insect pollinators right down from ecological to religious, financial and aesthetic. It also delved into some deliberate and inadvertent human practices that threaten the very existence of insect pollinators and the consequences. It is clear from the literature that though indigenous traditional knowledge about insect pollinators is in somewhat confused state its role and importance as a basis for participatory development is well recognized. Basically, several tacit indigenous traditional processes from diverse communities are in place to conserve insect pollinators. Some of such processes are facilitated by research scientists in the form of projects. Hence, more collaboration between indigenous traditionalists and research scientists in pollinator conservation is a step in the right direction and should be encouraged.

Keywords: Indigenous, traditional, insect pollinator, conservation, pesticidal, scientific knowledge