was 90%, with a sampling error of plus or minus 10%. Interviews were conducted in Kyrgyz and Russian from June to October 2010. All respondents were very open to the process and shared their knowledge freely. However, not many people knew about traditional medicinal plant use and many of them didn’t have experience in using it. Traditional knowledge’s holders are mainly of age 50 to 80 and, if they have followers, in most cases it was their family members. Analysis of the responses showed that the local population: - Uses medicinal plants for the treatment of different diseases; - Passes along traditional knowledge from generation to generation; - Uses recipes of their ancestors for treatment of sickness and for health support; and - S eek out healers in the region who cure the local population with medicinal plants, which they collect and prepare extracts from. Research showed that there is a necessity to collect TK on medicinal plants since there not many TK holders in the country and many of those who exist are very old. It is very important to learn how to use medicinal plants, to preserve them and to cultivate these plants. Local TK holders are open to collaboration as they are concerned that TK knowledge is missing and new generation should keep TK and pass it on to future generations. Conclusion RCE Kyrgyzstan realises the necessity of recovering traditional knowledge. Kyrgyz people were historically nomads and in order to survive in difficult mountain conditions they used traditions and knowledge that had been passed from generation to generation. RCE Kyrgyzstan is continuously conducting research to achieve the goal of sustainable biodiversity use and helping rural people understand the importance of mountain ecosystems conservation by linking it with the traditional knowledge of Kyrgyz. In partnership with its main stakeholders, RCE Kyrgyzstan has taken steps in the country to preserve biological resources in the framework of activities of the State Agency of Environment and Forestry Protection under the Kyrgyzstan Government. Scientific research is carried out by scientists from the Biological-Soul Institute of National Academy and experts. However, those actions are insufficient to preserve fauna and flora and a need for more purposeful and systematic activities with various stakeholders has emerged. RCE Kyrgyzstan projects are related to sustainability (e.g. improvements in livelihood, ecosystems, etc.) as well as learning (e.g. developed curricula, pedagogical approaches, etc.). There is a major need to enhance awareness of the local population on: 1. Sustainable use of biodiversity; 2. Mountain ecosystems conservation as a main condition that would enable access to good health and a safe environment; 3. Recovery of traditional knowledge of medicinal plant use; and 4. A transition to a green economy and sustainable society. It is crucial to carry out widespread information campaigns on the importance of preservation and the sustainable use of biological resources. It is also necessary to link biological resources with life quality, human health and traditional knowledge. Restoration and the application of traditional knowledge in the context of a modern society should assist local communities in becoming major actors in conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity. Traditionally, Kyrgyz were careful in using natural resources and that knowledge needs to be restored and disseminated. Kyrgyzstan is in transition and a market economy dictates its own terms. Standard medical care and services are expensive and lack professional staff. Medicines are not available to many poor residents of rural areas. At present, villagers increasingly use the services of traditional healers and refer to traditional treatment with the use of medicinal plants. Traditional medicine is becoming increasingly popular and the Medical Academy has established a new department of traditional medicine. RCE Kyrgyzstan has identified further actions to be taken together with partners and the local community. These include: • Creating linkages among well-being, health and quality of life with environment; • Recovering traditional knowledge on biodiversity use in context of modern conditions; • Raising awareness on the sustainable and safe use of ecosystems; 13 93
Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity
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