Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge as a Nature-Based Solution in Post-War Sudan: Healing People and Ecosystems, Dr Hisham Shazali, Prof. Hassan Khalid
Dr Hisham Salaheldin Shazali
Institute of Environmental Studies
University of Khartoum
Khartoum
Sudan
ORCID: 0009-0004-0329-8890
Professor Hassan Khalid
Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Khartoum
Khartoum
Sudan
ORCID: 0000-0002-8047-6273
Type of Paper: Conceptual
Received: 10 July 2025 / Revised: 29 September 2025 / Accepted: 30 November 2025 / Published: 31 December 2025
DOI: 10.47556/J.IJFNPH.15.1-2.2025.7
Purpose: This paper explores how indigenous knowledge (IK), particularly traditional medicine, can function as a nature-based solution (NBS) in Sudan’s post-war reconstruction. It highlights the dual potential of traditional healing systems in restoring human health and conserving biodiversity, thus supporting both socio-cultural resilience and ecological recovery.
Design/Methodology/Approach: A multidisciplinary approach is used, combining historical context, ethnobotanical insights, and policy analysis. The paper draws from Sudanese case studies, international experiences, and legal frameworks to assess the integration of traditional medicine into primary healthcare and environmental stewardship.
Findings: IK offers cost-effective, culturally accepted healthcare in under-served areas and promotes the conservation of medicinal plants and ecosystems. However, regulatory gaps, overharvesting, and lack of institutional support limit its full potential as an NBS.
Originality/Value: The paper introduces a novel perspective by framing traditional medicine as a connector between human and ecosystem health in post-conflict Sudan. It suggests policy pathways for integrated reconstruction.
Research Limitations/Implications: Challenges include fragmented data, lack of standardised studies on efficacy and safety, and weak documentation of traditional practices.
Practical Implications: The paper provides actionable guidance for policy-makers, practitioners, and conservationists to enhance healthcare access, cultural preservation, and biodiversity protection.
Keywords: Traditional Medicine, Nature-Based Solutions, Post-Conflict Recovery, Sudan, Biodiversity Conservation, Indigenous Knowledge, Health Systems, Sustainable Development.
Citation: Shazali, H. S. and Khalid, H. E. (2025): Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge as a Nature-Based Solution in Post-War Sudan: Healing People and Ecosystems. International Journal of Food, Nutrition and Public Health (IJFNPH), Vol.15, No.1-2, pp. 103-126.
