MEDICINAL PLANTS’ USE IN AND AROUND KALINZU CENTRAL FOREST RESERVE, BUSHENYI – WESTERN UGANDA

Abstract

This study assessed medicinal use, the environmental diversity and conservation of medicinal plant species and to evaluate how significant medicinal plants were used in the treatment of various ailments among the local communities. Kalinzu CFR is a natural tropical forest in Western Uganda whose existence is threatened by the increasing human population and pressure for demand of its wood and non-wood resources for medicinal use. Tools used included stratified random sampling, structured questionnaires, to select and obtain information on local plant species used for medicinal purposes, the parts used, modes of their preparation and applications as well as the ailments treated was obtained. In-situ physical study on the plant species and Floristic information on the plant species was obtained by transects and quadrant methods made from the six sub-counties adjacent to Kalinzu’s forest interior. Small eight sample plots of dimensions 30m length by 15m width were made on each transect line separated by a distance of 100m using tape measures and marked with flagging tapes. The study used quantitative techniques of data analysis involving Shannon Weiner Index. The results showed 18 species, belonging to 13 families and 16 genera used by the local communities. Forest products included fruits; vegetables, medicines, firewood, construction materials or other purposes, but a greater percentage uses the forest for medicinal values (76.7%). Plant leaves (42.5%) and bark (30%) were the most common plant parts used for medicinal purposes. Trees were the major sources of medicines as observed (50%) followed by shrubs (27.8%). The plant species most used were in the families’ fabaceae (16.7%) and lamiaceae (16.7%) while the least species used were in the family menispermaceae (5.6%). Plants at the edges of the forest were harvested more frequently than those in the interior of the forest due to proximity. There were minimal local community conservation initiatives of medicinal plants (89%) as compared to 11% of the people who had cultivated plant species that were increasingly harvested or their habitats destructed. In conclusion, harvesting methods and traditional status of individuals that make medicinal plants the basic primary health care comparing to expensive and inaccessible western medicines is a factor hindering effective implementation of conservation measures. Besides, there is great need to educate and involve the communities in species conservation projects.