Integrity of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Natural Resource Management: The Case of the Arid and Semi-Arid Baringo Herders of Kenya

Ineffective management of natural resources in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), resulting in resource depletion, rapid loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation, is of great concern globally. The Baringo herders in the ASALs of Kenya have been branded as perpetrators of this vice, with the blame placed particularly on their traditional livestock management, utilising indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). These IKS involve livestock mobility and maximisation, and have been regarded as being outdated and inefficient in meeting the challenges and demands for environmental conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources. A common reaction of the government has been to advocate modern interventions that are based on exogenous knowledge systems (EKS), involving sedentary livestock raising and destocking. These EKS are, however, not performing as well as expected, since they are not adapted to the ASALs ecological conditions and the herders\u27 socio-economic and cultural situations (Aboud et al 1997; Makenzi, 2003). This study empirically explored the above propositions, in order to test the integrity of the IKS, in relation to EKS and the herders\u27 levels of education

Chemical Constituents of Ocimum Kilimandscharicum Guerke Acclimatized In Kakamega Forest, Kenya

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i3.13The genus Ocimum belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is made of almost 200 species of herbs and shrubs which have potential medicinal properties. The species are native to the tropical and temperate climate zones around the globe. Two new compounds with damarane skeleton namely 2α-hydroxy-3-oxodammara-20,24-diene (1) and 2α,3β-dihydroxy dammara-20, 24-diene (2) together with apeginin7-O-neohespeiridoside (3), quercetin (4), turkesterone (5), fesitin (6), apeginin (7), chrysin (8), lupeol (9), stigmasterol (10), friedelin (11), α-amyrin acetate (12) and n-octacosonoic acid (13) are reported here from the leaves of Ocimum kilimandscharicum. Their structures were established on the basis of physical and spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with the literature data. Crude extracts and isolated compounds were investigated for contact toxicity and anti-feedant activity against Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus

Flavonol glycosides with insecticidal activity from methanol extract of Annona mucosa Jacq. leaves

Three flavonoids, quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside (1), quercetin 3-O-α-Darabinoside (2) and kaempferol 3-O-β-D-galactoside (3) were isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of Annona mucosa Jacq. Their structures were determined by using physical and spectroscopic methods. The characterized compounds showed promising insecticidal activities against Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus, insect pests of stored maize

Randomized evaluation of a school-based, trauma-informed group intervention for young women in Chicago

This study explores whether a school-based group counseling program for adolescent girls, implemented at scale, can mitigate trauma-related mental health harms. In a randomized trial involving 3749 Chicago public high school girls, we find that participating in the program for 4 months induces a 22% reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and find significant decreases in anxiety and depression. Results surpass widely accepted cost-effectiveness thresholds, with estimated cost-utility well below $150,000 per quality adjusted life year. We find suggestive evidence that effects persist and may even increase over time. Our results provide the first efficacy trial of such a program specifically designed for girls, conducted in America’s third largest city. These findings suggest the promise of school-based programs to mitigate trauma-related harms