In the recent years scholars are not showing much interest on field orinetated programmes which involves the continous field works. Most of the scholars prefer to work in the labs or with modern instruments only.

Ethnobotnaical studies related to the taxonomy, but today students are not strong in the plant morphological studies. Most of the young people move towards applied courses in the plant sciences.

Another important factors are 1) lack of sufficient funding to do the work in these aspects.

2) Lack of job opportunities in this field of research

If Govt. or Private agencies  such as Drug companies and other medicinal industries  offer jobs in these aspects, scholars can do the useful work for the benefit of the Humanity.

In the recent years scholars are not showing much interest on field orinetated programmes which involves the continous field works. Most of the scholars prefer to work in the labs or with modern instruments only.

Ethnobotnaical studies related to the taxonomy, but today students are not strong in the plant morphological studies. Most of the young people move towards applied courses in the plant sciences.

Another important factors are 1) lack of sufficient funding to do the work in these aspects.

2) Lack of job opportunities in this field of research

If Govt. or Private agencies  such as Drug companies and other medicinal industries  offer jobs in these aspects, scholars can do the useful work for the benefit of the Humanity.

Dear Seyit,

In my case I teach pharmacology, pharmacognosy and herbal medicines and I always tell my students that Ethnobotany/Ethnopharmacology is a useful tool for drug discovery and some companies are now showig interest in this field of research. It is also very important that in many countries people rely on traditional medicine to treat diseases; in this sense, ethnopharmacological studies will help to valide some of the traditional uses of the plants.

Best regards

Thank you for your replies. Compiling the proposals made so far; some offers are presented such as explaining this heritage to the youth through education and promotion of research grants, and opening business opportunities in this area through the state or the private sector(s).

I would like to add local or regional festivals, to do or to become traditional, on this subject. Through these festivals, it can be seen that how or how much the ethnobotanical heritage reflected in the products made by the hands of local people as the accumulation from the past. These products and traditional games will be on display, may draw the attention of the youths and industrial sector entrepreneurs.

What else can we do? I believe in my heart that you will bring more concrete, attractive and applicable suggestions, or experiences..

the fact is that the new generations have less and less contact with nature. the first think that we have to promote is the contact of the children with nature as early as this can be done: first with their families and then in every stage of their learning.

Thank you all for the valuable inputs, yes festivals may reflect the cuture and heritage of the locals, but how far we can preserve the ethnobotanical heritage through these funtions and others ?. I think, first people mind set will be altered  towards the forests, its resources and  conservation. IUCN plays a vital role in these aspects, besides several NGOs doing their best in these lines.  Mobolize the scientific  commnity, ayurvedic, allopathic systems to develop industries which based on the ethnobotanically imporatant plants and it will be a  boon to young generation to work in these regions. Motivate the youth and encourge them towards the conservation of our natural heritage. 

I agree with the observations of dear @Narasimha Rao that lack of funding and job opportunities are the stumbling blocks for youth to take up ethnobotanical studies. People are more interested in biodiversity and its protection and conservation. Ethnobotanical studies need to be integrated with modern sciences of information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology etc. to sustain the interest of funding agencies and the youth.

B.R. Roa cleared that new generation  awaken in this is necessary for development.

In india in many universities ethnobotanical studies are conducted as part of thesis work leading to Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D.) degrees in the Botany departments. However, these studies remain unrecognized as they are not integrated into national database on ethnobotany. Due to lack of experienced taxonomists, the frequency of such studies is coming down year by year. This is an important subject and there is an urgent need to digitise the heritage of a country and preserve it to posterity for the benefit of the future generations. Unfortunately, this is not attracting the attention of policy makers and governments.

In our institution, Ethnobotany is taught as part of undergraduate  courses. I do lecture it  on  4 credits ( 60H). From my experience learners are interested more to traditional knowledge and the to biodiversity conservation based on economic botany resources. practikum is conducted through local communities - This is part of the way to re-write local natural history while developing collection and knowledge - as well as to promote environmental education

I do believe that it is urgent to organize a full academic curriculum promoting Ethnobotany and its application for global development beyond 2015. the target is the youngsters.

Much thanks

Innocent Balagizi,

Teaching Traditional medicinal, Indigenous knowledge and practices, at any aspects ( food security, environ mental management, social management,... local natural history remain the key support for sustainable development. But where are lectures? It is recommendable to develop a database of knowledgeable scientist  worldwide as well to organize a workshop for meeting the needs of communities and learners. At this level we can make sure that in future Ethnobotany will be developped as a scientifc full domain with knowledgeable techniciians

Dear all

We touch the critical point that we deal with our new generation.  Which mean we big responsibility to

1. Learn them the history not as lessons but by love and films even visit the places if it is possible.

2. In home by family..In school with education..books  in collage it should by in subjects

3.work shops in summer with different dispense. 

4.Should be library in each house about history of the place he or she live in it Of course about country.

5 . traditional and identity are very important for their belive that can make them belong to their places and keep it well to another generation. 

Love for nature, respect for indigenous communities and profound patriotism are the virtues to be developed collaterally with urge for frequent exposure to nature. I think these are the perspectives that  can augment interest in new generation in the direction of the ethnobotanical heritage protection.

Inputs by Dr Rao, Dr Balagizi, Dr.Hossam and Dr. Mukherjee are very interesting in this part of discussion. Further I would like to say if any recommedations forwarded by the learned people especially in the field of ethnobotany it will be beneficial for the young generation for its protection and conservation of Nature. I am thinking these are some of  the ideas regarding this

1) to develop a international network ( team of scientific people)

2) to provide the road map for its  implementation

3) to raise the sufficient funding in collobartation with international funding organizations

4) to create the employment avenues for the younger people

5) interact with the scientific and drug industries for its cooperation and further

    assistance 

6) to conduct the seminars and symposia in the tribal regions to motivate the public

7) to conduct the awareness camps with ethnobotanists. 

Finally  I am congratulating Dr.Seyid for his question which attracts many scientists for their suggestions. Still there are so many good ethnobotanists didn.t turn up with their valuable and innovative ideas.

Thank you all

The younger ethnobiologists should be perform research in the field, mainly in territories which are unknown for them. In these conditions they may get some experience and therefore they could feel the need of made more research on this issue. But first, we should be sure that our alumni are persons with best attitudes, interest in the history of the study subject, and with respect about the framework of the ethnobiology (cultural and biological diversity, ethics on property rights, a position assumed in conservation, etc.).

1. Develop standard ethnobotany/ethnobiology courses using the standard text books by Martin, Cotton, Alexiades and others targeting different levels (first, second and third degrees)

2. Assist the young people (students) to learn the principles and the various methods of Ethnobotany by applying those learnt through the course

3. Among other things, students and young have to develop skills to interact with local people as general informants and key informants

4. Develop actual problem solving competitive/winning research proposals and submit to prospective local and international funding agencies

5. Carry out actual research and assist the young people (graduate students at Masters and PhD levels) to do problem solving research - To get an idea of the kind of ethnobotanical research we are doing, you can browse the Internet with my name (Zemede Asfaw) and key words like ethnobotany, medicinal plants, wild edible plants, Ethiopia.

6. Interact with peers and share experiences.

7. Engage in awareness raising at all levels so that the understanding and the funding situation also improves.

1. Develop standard ethnobotany/ethnobiology courses using the standard text books by Martin, Cotton, Alexiades and others targeting different levels (first, second and third degrees)

2. Assist the young people (students) to learn the principles and the various methods of Ethnobotany by applying those learnt through the course

3. Among other things, students and young have to develop skills to interact with local people as general informants and key informants

4. Develop actual problem solving competitive/winning research proposals and submit to prospective local and international funding agencies

5. Carry out actual research and assist the young people (graduate students at Masters and PhD levels) to do problem solving research - To get an idea of the kind of ethnobotanical research we are doing, you can browse the Internet with my name (Zemede Asfaw) and key words like ethnobotany, medicinal plants, wild edible plants, Ethiopia.

6. Interact with peers and share experiences.

7. Engage in awareness raising at all levels so that the understanding and the funding situation also improves.