The devil’s claw, whose scientific name is harpagophytum procumbens, is native to Southern Africa, and gets its name from the tiny hooks that cover its fruit. It is also known as a wood spider in some quarters.
Historically, the devil’s claw has been used to treat pain, liver and kidney problems, fever and malaria. It has also been used in ointments to heal sores, boils and other skin problems. In Namibia, it has recently gained prominence in terms of monetary value, although it has been used for medicinal benefits for many years by local communities. But the claw will soon be extinct, considering the rate at which it is being carelessly harvested in the Zambezi region.
People start harvesting the claw non-stop by the beginning of March, and go up to October and November thereabout. Sustainable harvesting of devil’s claw in the Zambezi region, which encompasses parts of Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Angola, is crucial for preserving biodiversity and supporting local communities. However, it seems there are no mechanisms in place to ensure sustainable harvesting of the claw.
Currently, the people involved in the harvesting of the claw simply get permits from the veterinary office, and then proceed into the veld to harvest. The harvesters spend months in the open velds, day and night, without any supervision. The process is disastrous, and the harvesters simply harvest by digging aimlessly and, in the process, uprooting every tuber, not considering the age of the claw.
What is worrying is the fact that the residents of the Zambezi region are now crossing into Zambia illegally, hunting for the devil’s claw. In some cases, they are met with force by the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), which usually takes the law into their own hands by either shooting to kill the culprits or their oxen. In many instances, foreign nationals are employed to do the digging of the tuber, and in the process, the diggers are usually abused and exploited by the Namibians, resulting in the trade deal becoming sour, which unfortunately results in the abused sustaining injuries and the abuser losing his money as the abused usually escapes without selling his proceeds to the prospective buyer. It is known to be a lucrative business, in which many people involved have managed to buy cars.
However, it is equally dangerous, as in some quarters it is conducted during the middle of the night, where some high-ranking officials and law agents are sometimes involved. In trying to sustain the harvesting of the claw and, at the same time, protect and preserve the lives of Namibians and other foreign nationals, many measures can be taken to achieve the desirable objectives.
The local community should be engaged in the management of devil’s claw resources through community-based natural resource management initiatives. This approach empowers communities to sustainably harvest and manage devil’s claw while ensuring that benefits from its trade directly benefit local people. Harvesting the claw is in most cases done at the traditional level using indigenous knowledge, and therefore the stakeholders should respect and integrate traditional knowledge of devil’s claw harvesting practices held by indigenous communities in the region. Incorporating traditional wisdom into management plans can enhance sustainability and promote cultural continuity. Although the ministry of environment controls the trade by dishing out permits, it should equally establish and enforce regulations governing devil’s claw harvesting, including quotas, seasonal restrictions and harvest techniques.
Collaborate with local governments and relevant stakeholders to develop and implement effective regulatory frameworks tailored to the specific needs of the Zambezi region. In line with enforcing regulations, the ministry should also encourage regular monitoring of devil’s claw populations to assess the health of wild populations, and the impact of harvesting activities. It is important to support research initiatives to improve understanding of devil’s claw ecology, population dynamics, and the effectiveness of management strategies. In a similar vein, provision should be made for training and capacity-building programmes for local harvesters on sustainable harvesting practices, including selective harvesting, post-harvest processing, and value-addition. Empowering harvesters with the necessary skills and knowledge promotes responsible resource management. It is becoming obvious about the dependence on the devil’s claw for survival instead of resorting to other sources of income. As it is now, many young people from many villages are scattered in many environs of the region, seeking the claw. It becomes even worse considering the situation this year, in which the crops failed. To make ends meet in terms of getting income to feed their families, the only easier method to do so is to harvest the claw in any way possible. It is against this background that it becomes necessary to explore opportunities for diversifying livelihoods in the region to reduce dependency on devil’s claw harvesting.
This may include supporting income-generating activities such as ecotourism, sustainable agriculture or artisanal crafts. It is also important to foster partnerships and collaboration among governments, non-governmental organisations, research institutions and local communities to address common challenges and implement sustainable management practices effectively. In conclusion, market access and fair trade should be facilitated to access markets for sustainably-harvested devil’s claw products, while promoting fair trade principles and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing along the value chain. By integrating these strategies, it’s possible to ensure the sustainable harvesting of devil’s claw, while supporting both conservation efforts and the livelihoods of local communities.
*Professor Makala Lilemba is an academician, author, diplomat, motivational leader, researcher and scholar.