Moshy, Sabas Alois2019-11-272020-01-072019-11-272020-01-072014Moshy, S. A (2014) Indigenous knowledge of the pare in Tanzania on conservation of diversity of wild and cultivated plants, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1800Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QK86.16.T34M67)The purpose of the current study was to document how Pare people perceived the use of forest reserve to conserve plant diversity. Pare live in South and North Pare mountain blocks, Tanzania. This is an area that on average has lost over 64% of its forest area despite its important in rural setting as source of timber and non-timber forest products. Use of forest reserves to conserve plant diversity was started by German colonialists as a preventive measure and adopted by independent Tanzania. In some places the act of preventing people from managing and using forests resulted in negative perception, loss of Indigenous Knowledge related to conservation and in several places this loss was influenced by age, level of education and sex. Data were collected and analyzed using standard methods. Results obtained show that although Pare conserved diversity of wild plants under six different indigenous regimes these methods were less appreciated by most Pare now. Lack of recognition was more so for highly educated people, the youngest and to some extent women. Some of the noted differences were statistically significant. On their general perception towards use of forest reserves, majority showed to have positive perception but when it came to their participation in undertaking forest husbandry activities most of them showed to have negative perception suggesting that they were not happy with use forest reserves. On how Pare conserved diversity of cultivated plants and if creolization had taken place between improved varieties and local varieties of Maize and Beans. Results indicated that Pares had ways of conserving their local varieties of Maize and Beans. It was also found that creolization between the two crops had taken place because farmers mixed their local and improved varieties on the same farm.enPlsnt diversity conservationTraditional knowledgePareTanzaniaThesis