The role of indigenous people in the biodiversity conservation in Gamo area of Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia

The Gamo indigenous people and their knowledge on the biodiversity conservation represent one of the oldest traditionally intensified systems in Ethiopia. Indigenous peoples and their socio cultural relationship with biological systems have largely been contributing to sustainable conservation of biodiversity. The main objective of this study is to analyze the role of indigenous peoples and their knowledge on biodiversity conservation. For this research key informant interview were carried out to generate primary data. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage. Accordingly, the indigenous biodiversity conservation method dominantly owned by Gamo peoples was home garden/traditional agro forestry practice. These age-old systems are receiving increasing attention owing to their perceived potential to mitigate environmental problems such as loss of biodiversity and high concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Lack of prioritization for indigenous people due to neglect, decay, as well as destruction of socio-cultural values and their knowledge on the biodiversity conservation were the reasons for the degradation of biodiversity. Therefore, this article came up with the evidence of culture, spiritual, social and ethical norms possessed by indigenous peoples have often been determining factors for sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. Key words: Indigenous people, indigenous knowledge, Biodiversity conservation, Gamo area.