Sustainable utilization of natural resources by the local communities holds a key position in the conservation of biodiversity of protected areas. In some protected areas in Uganda, registered resource users are allowed to harvest a small number and limited quantity of carefully selected plant resources. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Bwindi), resource use is limited to so-called ‘Multiple Use Zones’ (MUZs).

Poor health infrastructure and dependence on subsistence production among other reasons make it difficult for local people around Bwindi to afford adequate health care. Due to poor hygienic conditions and lack of clean water, intestinal parasites are frequent. No surprise then, that a group of plants that communities requested to harvest from MUZs are medicinal plants to treat such parasites, locally called ‘Nyakibazi’. Nyakibazi includes three species of Rytigynia (namely Rytigynia kigeziensis, Rytigynia kiwuensis and Rytigynia bagshawei), of which the bark is harvested to prepare a tea.

The study was undertaken to provide baseline data for a monitoring system on the sustainable harvest of Rytigynia spp. from MUZs and to provide basic information on its biology.

The study concentrated on three pilot MUZs in Bwindi, that is Mpungu, Nteko and Rutugunda. A total of 270 study plots of 400m² each were set up using a stratified subjective sampling strategy based on geographical features such as valleys, slopes, ridges and on trails used by resource users. Size class distribution, abundance and harvesting impact were determined for all three species of Rytigynia in each plot.

The results indicate that the demand for Rytigynia bark by local communities is higher than the amounts allowed (the ‘quota’ specified in Use Agreements). This has resulted in the harvesting of small size classes and even roots of Rytigynia. The study also showed that Rytigynia plants were slightly bigger in Nteko compared to Mpungu. This is also where the demand of Nyakibazi is highest. In Mpungu, the amount of bark being harvested was found to exceed the quota originally agreed upon. In both parishes the numbers of herbalists increased since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), indicating there has been an increase in demand for Nyakibazi.

The author recommended the domestication of Rytigynia species, training of the resource users on how to sustainably use the bark harvested in order to avoid post-harvest losses and improving the socio-economic status of the local people as a precondition to improving their health.