The role of social mechanisms in local ecological knowledge (LEK) for biodiversity conservation in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) plays an important role in the sustainable conservation of biodiversity, relying on local social values and practices to conserve biodiversity. This article addresses the role of these and other social mechanisms in LEK for biodiversity conservation in the Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP). Based on qualitative research, including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations, our study reveals that the idea of conservation among stewards and faith groups in the SMNP area lies amidst the imposition of western-oriented conservation practices by international agencies. In particular, local taboos and other aspects of the local worldviews enable the successful application of LEK in the conservation efforts in SMNP. Interestingly, the recent revocation of the SMNP from the UNESCO list of endangered sites in 1996 is the result of the effectiveness of the social mechanisms of LEK. In this article, we argue that the conservation ethos guiding the management of the Simien Mountains should incorporate LEK-based strategies to avoid conflict and ensure sustainability.