Decolonising Plant-Based Cultural Legacies in the Cultural Policies of the Global South

1 Introduction

Cultural heritage is a storehouse of identity, knowledge, and tradition that includes both tangible and intangible facets of human society. The rich tapestry of botanical traditions, in which plants are essential to the formation of cultural practices, rituals, and identities, is woven into this enormous fabric of legacy. But the preservation and advancement of plant-based cultural heritage are not merely modern issues; they are also intricately linked to past developments, especially those shaped by colonial legacies (Sen, 1989). With an emphasis on the contexts of India and Nigeria, this study attempts to investigate the long-lasting effects of colonialism on plant-based cultural heritage policy.

Colonialism left a lasting impact on cultural practices and knowledge systems. It was an ubiquitous force that affected the socio-political and economic landscapes of several regions (Oyelaran-Oyeyinka & Gehl Sampath, 2012). Colonialism uprooted native botanical traditions in India and Nigeria and marginalised local knowledge systems while enforcing Western scientific paradigms (Smith, 2018). Plant ecosystems were exploited and degraded as a result of the extraction of botanical resources for colonial economic interests, which intensified these disruptions (Abakporo & Ohenhen, 2024; Muñoz Martínez, 2022; Prakash, 2019). The main focus of this study includes: examining the historical effects of colonialism on indigenous plant knowledge and practices in India and Nigeria, analysing the creation, execution, and results of plant-based cultural heritage policies in both nations, investigating the implications of colonial legacies for modern approaches to botanical heritage preservation and promotion, and identifying areas of convergence and divergence between India and Nigeria in their approaches to plant-based cultural heritage within policy frameworks.

For the preservation of cultural heritage, cultural regeneration, and sustainable development, it is important to comprehend how colonial legacies affect plant-based cultural heritage policy. This research adds to a nuanced knowledge of the inherent complexity in cultural asset management by shedding light on the historical trajectories that influenced present policy frameworks (Chikowero, 2020). Furthermore, through a comparative study of Nigeria and India, this research provides insights into the various tactics used by post-colonial cultures to negotiate their biological legacy in the face of global problems. In sum, the study interrogates the ways in which plant-based cultural history in these two countries has been impacted by colonial interventions in botany and agriculture. It also evaluates the continued influence of these legacies on modern cultural policies in both countries. The research supports more inclusive and successful cultural policies that respect and maintain the rich plant-based legacies of these countries by analysing the historical background and present initiatives to conserve and promote indigenous botanical knowledge.

2 Literature Review

Indigenous peoples of the Global South were exploited and subjugated by European powers throughout colonialism. In Africa, Asia, and the Americas, the colonial era – which started in the fifteenth century with exploratory expeditions – reshaped economies, communities, and cultures. Conquest, force, and colonialism were the means by which European nations founded colonies due to their economic interests, religious zeal, and imperial ambitions (Rodney, 1972). In order to support their expanding industries and boost their economies, European powers pillaged the colonies’ vast natural resources, which included labour, agriculture, and minerals. The colonised nations were profoundly impacted by this economic exploitation by the colonialists, which resulted in pervasive poverty, underdevelopment, and reliance of the colonised economies on the colonial hegemonies. (Abakporo & Ohenhen, 2024).

In his ground-breaking book “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa,” historian Walter Rodney made the case that colonialism deliberately stunted local industry and extracted riches from the Global South, undermining those economies’ potential (Rodney, 1972). Colonised cultures’ social and cultural landscapes were significantly altered. Indigenous communities in these regions were subjected to the institutions, cultural norms, and values of European colonists, frequently through coercion. Indigenous cultures and identities have been lost as a result of the forced imposition of language, religion, and legal systems. The notion of cultural imperialism, as expounded by theorists like Edward Said in “Orientalism,” highlights the ways in which Western nations established and maintained stereotypes and hierarchies to rationalise their rule over conquered populations (Said, 1978). It is impossible to overestimate the influence of colonialism on the political systems and governance of the Global South.

With little respect for pre-existing political, ethnic, and cultural boundaries, European powers divided the world into colonies and zones of influence. The enduring impact of arbitrary border delineation has resulted in political fragmentation, instability, and conflicts in post-colonial governments. In Define and Rule: Native as Political Identity, political scientist Mahmood Mamdani observes that in order to retain power, colonial governments purposefully encouraged divisions among indigenous populations, which exacerbated ethnic tensions and conflicts that still afflict many post-colonial states (Mamdani, 1996). In the Global South, colonialism is an intricate historical phenomenon with lingering effects. Even though colonial control has officially come to an end, its effects can still be seen in the on-going injustices, hostilities, and difficulties that many of the colonised nations face. Dealing with current concerns of development, identity, and justice in the Global South requires an understanding of the history and legacy of colonialism (Mbembe, 2001).

The British East India Company was founded as a commercial company in the early seventeenth century, marking the beginning of colonialism in India. But throughout time, it increased its power and influence over Indian regions, leading to the official British colonialism of India with the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 (Prakash, 2019). Political tyranny, cultural absorption, and economic exploitation were the hallmarks of British colonialism in India. By imposing their administrative systems and enacting land revenue regulations, the British uprooted the indigenous population and disrupted long-standing agricultural traditions (Guha, 2007). Similarly, British explorers and traders first set up shop along Nigeria’s coast in the late nineteenth century, marking the beginning of Nigeria’s experience with colonialism. By the early twentieth century, Britain had consolidated its control over the region, incorporating diverse ethnic groups and territories into the colonial state (Falola & Heaton, 2008).

The exploitation of natural resources, especially palm oil and later petroleum, was a defining feature of Nigeria’s colonial rule. This led to social unrest and environmental degradation in addition to driving the nation’s economic growth (Adebanwi, 2014). Both India and Nigeria saw considerable upheavals in their native social, economic, and cultural structures throughout the colonial era. In favour of Western scientific perspectives, indigenous knowledge and practices – including botanical traditions – were frequently suppressed or neglected (Smith, 2018). Postcolonial countries were permanently impacted in terms of governance, socioeconomic growth, and cultural identity by the imposition of colonial administrative institutions and economic policies, which further entrenched inequality and disparities (Ohenhen & Abakporo, 2024).

Indigenous botanical epistemologies and customs were significantly impacted by colonialism in both Nigeria and India. Western scientific paradigms were enforced under the British colonial administration in India, which resulted in the marginalisation and repression of traditional botanical knowledge systems (Prakash, 2019). Native customs pertaining to the cultivation of plants, their therapeutic applications, and their spiritual value were frequently discounted or ignored in favour of Western methods (Guha, 2007). In addition to uprooting traditional subsistence farming and upsetting regional ecosystems, the British government actually deliberately substituted subsistent crops with more biennial and perennial commercial crops including tea, cocoa, coffee, and indigo (Radhakrishnan, 2006). Similarly, colonisation in Nigeria had a significant impact on local plant knowledge and customs. Plant commercialisation and the exploitation of Nigeria’s rich biodiversity resulted from British colonial policies that encouraged the mining of natural resources for export. (Falola & Heaton, 2008). Traditional agricultural practices, based on diverse crop varieties and agroecological knowledge, were undermined by the introduction of cash crops like cocoa, palm oil, and groundnuts, which prioritised profit over sustainability (Adebanwi, 2014).

Colonialism weakened cultural ties to the land and its plants in addition to upsetting indigenous plant knowledge systems. Colonial narratives that depicted indigenous peoples as primitive or backward undervalued the traditional ecological knowledge that had been passed down through the generations (Smith, 2018). Consequently, the loss of biodiversity and cultural variety in postcolonial societies was exacerbated by the threat of extinction or obsolescence faced by numerous indigenous plant species and the knowledge systems that were linked with them. The effects of colonialism on native plant knowledge and customs went beyond short-term negative effects on the economy and ecosystem (Abakporo & Ohenhen, 2023). It upended long-standing customs of reciprocal engagement and sustainable resource management, radically changing the relationship between communities and their natural environs. Colonial policies changed social structures and cultural identities in Nigeria and India, as well as the physical landscapes (Kumar, 2015).

Conflicts with indigenous populations resulted from the British colonial administration’s implementation of forest management policies in India, which limited access to customary lands and resources (Ohenhen & Abakporo, 2024). Cultural and spiritual ties to the land were severed along with livelihoods by the criminalisation or marginalisation of traditional methods like agroforestry and shifting cropping (Guha, 2007). Furthermore, indigenous taxonomies and cosmologies were weakened by the introduction of Western botanical classifications and scientific methods, which reduced the cultural importance of plant species and ecosystems. Similar to this, colonialism in Nigeria upset customary land tenure arrangements and collective resource management techniques, which resulted in the enclosure of common areas and the consolidation of power in the hands of colonial officials and private enterprises (Falola & Heaton, 2008).

The loss of access to plant resources necessary for sustenance, medicine, and rituals occurred when indigenous tribes were forced from their traditional regions. Furthermore, the encouragement of cash crops grown in monocultures resulted in biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and environmental degradation, which made rural residents’ vulnerabilities and dependence even worse (Falola & Heaton, 2008). In Nigeria and India today, plant-based cultural practices and regulations are still influenced by the history of colonialism. The complex issues of land tenure, resource management, and cultural revival that postcolonial governments have taken on call for nuanced solutions that take into account the historical injustices done to indigenous communities. Both nations are engaged in efforts to recover and revive indigenous plant knowledge and traditions, which are being fuelled by researchers’ initiatives, international partnerships, and grassroots movements.

Indigenous plant knowledge and practices in India and Nigeria were greatly impacted by colonialism in a variety of ways, including social, cultural, environmental, and economic. In post-colonial nations, advancing ecological sustainability, cultural diversity, and social fairness requires acknowledging and resolving the lasting effects of colonialism. Traditional botanical systems in India and Nigeria were severely disturbed by colonialism, which had a significant impact on local plant knowledge and customs (Prakash, 2019). The forest management policies imposed by the British colonial authority in India prioritised economic exploitation over customary land use practices. The introduction of monoculture plantings and profit-driven forestry projects weakened traditional agroforestry systems that combined a variety of agricultural kinds and tree species (Guha, 2007).

Monoculture cash crops and export-focused agriculture replaced indigenous systems of agroecology, which maintained a variety of crop rotations and soil fertility management strategies (Adebanwi, 2014). Ecological deterioration, biodiversity loss, and the depletion of natural resources resulted from the uprooting of indigenous farming communities and the conversion of forests into plantations. Traditional botanical systems were disrupted by colonialism, which had significant socioeconomic and cultural effects on indigenous populations in Nigeria and India. It weakened cultural identities, threatened traditional means of subsistence, and maintained disparities in resource and land access. Furthermore, local ecosystems’ sustainability and resilience were in jeopardy due to the disappearance of traditional ecological knowledge and practices, which made them more vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation (Smith, 2018). Even though official colonial rule has ended, the effects of colonialism still influence how postcolonial communities manage and conserve plant-based resources today.

3 Theoretical Frameworks

The Postcolonial and Critical Heritage Studies theories were taken into consideration as frameworks appropriate for this work. Said popularised the postcolonial theory, which offers a prism through which to examine agency, resistance, and power relations within the framework of colonial legacies (Said, 1978). Postcolonial theory provides insights into the long-lasting consequences of colonialism on modern cultures by analysing how it continues to influence cultural practices and policies. On the other hand, Smith (2006) presents a critical viewpoint on the creation, interpretation, and administration of cultural heritage through his theory of critical heritage studies. This paradigm facilitates a more profound comprehension of the intricacies associated with the preservation and advancement of plant-based cultural heritage by scrutinising the fundamental presumptions and power relations present in cultural heritage discourse.

In contexts such as India and Nigeria, where colonial histories have had a significant impact on modern cultural policies and practices, postcolonial theory and critical heritage studies provide insightful frameworks for analysing the effects of colonial legacies on plant-based cultural heritage. With a focus on how colonial histories continue to influence identities, cultures, and power dynamics in post-colonial countries, postcolonial theory critically examines the long-lasting impacts of colonialism on society. This theoretical framework is essential to comprehending how indigenous epistemologies and plant-based cultural practices were disrupted by colonial botanical endeavours, such as the creation of botanical gardens and the imposition of cash crop economies. Both in India and Nigeria, colonial rulers frequently ignored the complex interactions that exist between indigenous communities and their ecosystems in favour of using the local flora for commercial advantage. These power disparities are brought to light by postcolonial theory, which also demonstrates how colonial exploitation and the repression of indigenous botanical knowledge had a lasting impact on cultural practices and legacies.

Critical Heritage studies, on the other hand, sees heritage as dynamic, contested, and processual, challenging conventional ideas of heritage as static and unchanging. This framework places a strong emphasis on the value of intangible cultural assets, which includes customs, plant-related knowledge systems, and rituals. Critical heritage studies as applied in this study, call for an investigation of the ways in which cultural policies have influenced the identification and conservation of plant-based legacy in India and Nigeria. The “Authorised Heritage Discourse”, which favours material heritage over intangible heritage and frequently favours particular narratives and kinds of heritage over others, is frequently criticised in these studies. Critical heritage studies focuses on plant-based cultural activities, highlighting how these practices – despite their cultural value – are frequently marginalised in official heritage regulations.

A combination of postcolonial theory and critical heritage studies for this research offers a thorough lens for examining the effects of colonial legacies on plant-based cultural heritage. Both frameworks promote critical analysis of the ways in which colonial history and power relations still shape the components of plant-based heritage that are prioritised for preservation or ignored. The theories also stress the significance of identifying and revitalising indigenous knowledge systems that were suppressed or changed by colonial interventions in order to decolonise legacy practices. The impact of these theoretical frameworks can be seen in initiatives to preserve and revitalise plant-based heritage in modern cultural policy, therefore providing a strong framework for comprehending and addressing the intricate effects of colonialism on plant-based cultural legacy, as well as shedding light on the past and present effects of colonialism on cultural practices.

4 Methodology

This study uses a comparative case study methodology to examine how colonial legacies have affected plant-based cultural heritage policies, with a particular focus on India and Nigeria. This method enables a thorough analysis of how colonial experiences and historical contexts have shaped modern strategies for promoting and preserving botanical heritage in two different postcolonial contexts. The researchers find parallels and discrepancies in how Nigeria and India handle plant-based cultural heritage within policy frameworks through the comparative case study approach. The study also availed of the findings of various tactics deployed by postcolonial cultures to negotiate their botanical legacy in the face of global concerns through the selection of cases with opposing colonial histories, such as British colonialism in India and Nigeria. In order to place and comprehend the historical developments and policy frameworks guiding plant-based cultural heritage in the Global South, with a focus on India and Nigeria, this research engages an analysis of historical records, policy documents, and pertinent literature.

Historical documents shed light on the colonial-era policies and practices that influenced indigenous plant knowledge and practices. These records include colonial archives, official reports, and scholarly studies. To investigate the creation, application, and results of plant-based cultural heritage policies in both nations, policy documents including national cultural heritage policies, environmental conservation strategies, and agricultural development plans are examined. This analysis provides insight into the ways that colonial legacies are still predominant in current frameworks and practices pertaining to the promotion and protection of botanical heritage. In addition, a study of relevant literature in disciplines including environmental history, critical heritage studies, postcolonial studies, and indigenous knowledge systems offers theoretical clarifications and factual backing for the study’s conclusions. The researchers are able to relate their findings to larger theoretical frameworks and establish links between historical legacies, policy dynamics, and cultural practices associated with plant-based heritage due to the multidisciplinary approach.

Data analysis involved a thematic and content analytic approach, whereby historical and policy documents, archival materials, and comparative case study findings were systematically coded and analysed to identify key themes and patterns related to identifying the roles of colonialism and deculturation in the perpetuation of the underdevelopment of those regions. The researchers obtained a sophisticated grasp of the complexity present in colonial legacies and their influence on plant-based cultural heritage policy in India and Nigeria through the multidisciplinary approach. When conducting research with historical records, governmental documents, and cultural heritage resources, ethical considerations are crucial. The researchers in this study followed the rules and regulations controlling access to sensitive information as well as ensuring that archive resources are treated ethically. Throughout the study process, consideration for cultural sensitivity, source confidentiality, and indigenous groups’ rights are maintained. Local stakeholders such as indigenous groups and heritage practitioners incorporated into collaborative processes further guaranteed ethically sound and culturally appropriate research outputs.

5 Case Studies Analysis of the Cultural Policy in Relation to Plant-Based Cultural Heritage in the Global South

6 Findings and Discussions

The study revealed that the long-lasting impact of colonialism largely negatively challenged the conservation of plant-based cultural heritage in the Global South. It was discovered through interviews and focused group discussions with cultural specialists, policy-makers, and local people that attitudes regarding indigenous botanical knowledge and practices are still shaped by policies and practices from the colonial era. Respondents emphasised how traditional plant-based cultural legacy has been marginalised and eroded in both India and Nigeria as a result of colonial interventions such as land expropriation, monoculture farming, and commercial resource exploitation.

The study also revealed how crucial cultural policies are to the preservation and restoration of plant-based cultural heritage. Arising from the results of analysis of official documents, policy frameworks, and legislative initiatives, indigenous botanical knowledge systems, and ecosystems have been acknowledged as important components of cultural policy agendas in both Nigeria and India. Interviews with policymakers and cultural stakeholders unveiled that attempts were set in motion by Cultural policies in various countries in the region, to support sustainable land management practices, empower local people to protect their biological legacy, and incorporate indigenous plant-based traditions into national heritage conservation policies. Nonetheless, difficulties persist in converting policy objectives into concrete results in practice. Also, findings from case studies uncovered through community consultations, and field observations highlighted the on-going dangers to plant-based cultural heritage, such as habitat loss, declining biodiversity, and socioeconomic inequality.

The necessity for comprehensive strategies that tackle the root causes of cultural deterioration – such as unstable land tenure, socioeconomic disparities, and a lack of finance for heritage conservation efforts – was underlined by the respondents. Focused group discussions consisting of researchers, botanists, and traditional healers helped the study uncover the complex relationships that exist between conventional botanical knowledge systems and cutting-edge scientific methodologies. The discussions’ key informants underscored the synergistic relationship between autochthonous plant-based remedies and Western scientific approaches, underscoring prospects for cooperative studies, sharing of expertise, and creativity in the preservation of biodiversity and the medical field. Field observations and ethnographic research provided insight into the adaptation and durability of plant-based cultural heritage to environmental and socioeconomic stresses. Agroecological farming methods, community-managed seed banks, and eco-tourism projects that honour regional plant species and cultural customs are just a few of the creative methods for maintaining traditional knowledge that were highlighted in case studies of indigenous communities.

Again, the focus groups and participatory mapping exercises, among other gender-sensitive research techniques, highlighted the vital role that women play in the transmission and conservation of plant-based cultural heritage. Although women are frequently the main guardians of culinary customs, medicinal plants, and seed-saving techniques – especially as shown in rural communities located in the research locations – their contributions are frequently disregarded in frameworks for study and policy. The significance of ethical considerations in heritage conservation initiatives was brought to light through community-based techniques and participatory research methodologies used to engage with indigenous groups. In order to make sure that conservation programmes respect the rights, knowledge, and cultural practices of local communities, respondents stressed the importance of inclusive decision-making processes, free prior and informed consent, and fair benefit-sharing methods.

Deploying cutting-edge multimedia storytelling and digital ethnography research method revealed how digital technology might be used to record and preserve intangible elements of plant-based cultural heritage. In order to promote intergenerational transmission and global awareness, new channels for the preservation of oral histories, traditional ecological knowledge, and cultural practices related to plants are made possible by virtual reality experiences, smartphone applications, and online repositories. The study’s conclusions, in turn, draw attention to the intricate interactions that will shape the future of plant-based cultural heritage in Nigeria and India between grassroots initiatives, cultural policies, and colonial legacies (Isichei, 1997).

In sum, the work offers useful evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, conservationists, and cultural practitioners to support the preservation and revitalisation of plant-based cultural heritage in a postcolonial context by interacting with a variety of stakeholders and utilising multidisciplinary research methods. Through a complete synthesis of these new discoveries with available data, the study provides a thorough knowledge of the opportunities and challenges associated with protecting plant-based cultural heritage in the Global South through the lenses of Nigeria and India. Policymakers, scholars, and cultural practitioners can create context-specific policies that respect the rich diversity of botanical traditions while tackling modern issues in a world that is changing quickly through interdisciplinary collaboration and community participation.

7 Recommendations

Formal education institutions in the Global South ought to incorporate traditional botanical knowledge into all levels of their curricula. Indigenous plant-based techniques can help students learn more about their ecological background and cultural history in science, agriculture, and cultural studies courses. This strategy encourages the transfer of traditional wisdom between generations and builds respect for other knowledge systems. Create curricular standards that integrate traditional botanical knowledge into the subjects that are already taught. Educate educators and instructors on culturally responsive teaching strategies. Form collaborations between educational establishments and nearby communities to co-develop educational resources and enable possibilities for experiential learning in natural settings.

Sustainable management of plant-based cultural heritage assets requires giving local populations the tools they need to take charge of conservation efforts. Conservation efforts can become more inclusive, equitable, and successful by including communities in resource management, decision-making processes, and ecotourism businesses. Initiatives for conservation led by the community also improve local economies, cultural pride, and social cohesion (Ekundayo, 2016). To supervise the administration of cultural heritage sites, cooperatives or committees are formed dedicated to conservation at the local level, offering educational and capacity-building initiatives pertaining to ecotourism, sustainable land management, and historical conservation and encouraging collaborations between governmental, non-profit, and community organisations to get access to capital, know-how, and markets.

Improving legislative and policy frameworks is crucial to preventing the exploitation, encroachment, and deterioration of plant-based cultural heritage. Strong laws, national heritage policies, and zoning laws that identify and protect cultural landscapes, sacred sites, and traditional knowledge systems should be passed by the governments of post-colonial nations in the Global South. Stakeholder engagement procedures, monitoring systems, and effective enforcement tools are essential for guaranteeing accountability and compliance (Nzewi, 1988). Review policies and gap analyses to find areas where current legal frameworks need to be improved. To design laws and policy guidelines that are sensitive to cultural differences, consult with indigenous people, cultural specialists, and legal scholars. Create task forces or specialised agencies for historic protection whose duties include supervising the application and observance of legislation pertaining to heritage conservation (Chakrabarty, 2000).

It is recommended that financial agencies, government agencies, and research institutes give priority to the study and documentation of traditional botanical knowledge systems in Nigeria and India. A valuable understanding of the ecological, cultural, and medicinal value of indigenous plant species can be gained by stakeholders through the support of ethnobotanical studies, archival research, and digital documentation projects. This information forms the basis for sustainable resource management, heritage preservation, and well-informed decision-making. Provide funds for multidisciplinary research projects focusing on biodiversity protection, traditional botanical knowledge, and cultural heritage preservation. Create libraries, digital archives, and repositories to organise and share oral histories, research findings, and traditional ecological knowledge. Encourage co-designing research initiatives to ensure the relevance and applicability of findings by fostering collaboration between researchers, local people, and policymakers.

Encourage communication and cultural exchange between various groups, nations, and areas to advance respect, tolerance, and appreciation of one another’s plant-based cultural heritage. Stakeholders can celebrate the diversity of botanical traditions, encourage cross-cultural partnerships, and increase awareness of the value of heritage conservation through festivals, workshops, exhibitions, and exchange programmes (Ajayi & Michael, 1985). In tackling common difficulties, interdisciplinary and intercultural discussion also promotes innovation, solidarity, and the exchange of information. Planning neighbourhood get-togethers, heritage walks, and cultural festivals that highlight folk performances, food customs, and botanical practices has become imperative. Encourage international cooperation, artist residencies, and research alliances that advance intercultural communication. In the digital age, make use of social media, digital platforms, and virtual exhibitions to expand your audience and promote virtual cultural interactions.

8 Conclusion

This study in sum has shed important light on how colonial legacies affect plant-based cultural heritage in the Global South, focusing on India and Nigeria as case studies, and how cultural policies influence the conservation and resuscitation of these rich customs. The study’s multidisciplinary methodology and interactions with a wide range of stakeholders have revealed intricate dynamics that highlight the connections between socioeconomic development, cultural identity, and ecological conservation. The results of this study demonstrate how colonialism continues to have an impact on the marginalisation and decline of traditional botanical knowledge systems and practices. Indigenous plants and their cultural significance are still shaped by historical injustices such as land expropriation, monoculture farming, and cultural assimilation (Adebayo, 2008).

The study also highlights how adaptable and resilient plant-based cultural heritage is to environmental and socioeconomic difficulties, as demonstrated by creative conservation efforts and community-led efforts to preserve traditional knowledge. Moreover, the study highlights the significance of cultural policies in advancing the acknowledgement, conservation, and renewal of plant-based cultural heritage. Policymakers, researchers, and cultural practitioners can collaborate to protect these priceless cultural assets for future generations by incorporating traditional botanical knowledge into formal education systems, encouraging community-led conservation initiatives, fortifying legal and policy frameworks, funding research and documentation, and promoting cultural exchange and dialogue.

Translating the study findings into practical activities and policy initiatives that tackle the root causes of cultural degradation and advance sustainable development is imperative going forward. Forging a path towards inclusive and equitable conservation practices that respect indigenous knowledge, ecological integrity, and cultural diversity, the Global South can do so by acknowledging the rich diversity of plant-based cultural heritage and empowering local communities to take care of their botanical traditions. In the end, preserving and reviving plant-based cultural legacy is essential to sustainable development and global biodiversity conservation efforts, in addition to being a matter of cultural pride. Plant-based cultural heritage can thrive as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and cultural continuity in the future if nations in the Global South, starting with India and Nigeria, embrace the lessons learned from this research and take a comprehensive approach that combines indigenous episteme with modern solutions.