Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Africa within the Context of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Environmental Management

Abstract

Over the course of history to date, traditional or local communities in Africa have continued to rely heavily on indigenous knowledge to conserve and manage the environment and use local natural resources in a sustainable manner.Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is still intact among local or indigenous communities in many parts of Africa. However, this knowledge is not well documented and it stands in danger of being lost as its custodians are passing away.Hence this paper aims at realizing the following objectives: - to,i. Provide clarification of the following key terms: - Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS), Sustainable environmental management, (SEM) and human rights;ii. Underscore the important role of IKS in contributing to the development of indicators for measuring sustainability in environment, biodiversity conservation and use of local natural resources, thereby establishing a significant nexus between Traditional Knowledge and Environmental management;iii. Underscore the necessity for protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities in Africa over their practices, innovations and knowledge of their environment and its sustainable management;iv. Conclude with some recommendations to readers.