By: Wegayehu Muluneh
EBC World has taken its audience on a breathtaking journey to one of Ethiopia’s most remarkable natural treasures, Bale Mountains National Park.
EBC World crew traveled to the highlands of southeastern Ethiopia to bring viewers an up-close look at the park’s stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.
Located 400km southeast of Addis Ababa, Bale Mountains National Park contains a spectacularly diverse landscape.
The high altitude, afro-montane Sanetti Plateau rises to over 4,000m and includes the highest peak in the southern Ethiopia highlands. This undulating plateau is marked by numerous glacial lakes and swamps and surrounded by higher volcanic ridges and peaks.
The southern slopes are covered by the lush and largely unexplored Harenna Forest.
This destination inscribed on the world heritage list on September 18, 2023 at the 45th session of the world committee in Riyad Saudi Arabia.
Broadcasting from Dinsho, the gateway to the park, we highlighted the critical role Bale Mountains play in biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism.
“This park is home to endemic species like the Ethiopian wolf and the Mountain Nyala. It’s not just a natural wonder, but also a vital ecological asset,” noted Geremew Mebratu, Bale Mountains National Park Wildlife Tourism Warden.
The episode also shed light on the communities living around the park and their efforts to balance tradition, tourism, and environmental protection.
Interviews with Sena Gashe Senior researcher, ecologist and Curator said "Bale Mountains National Park, spanning over 2,200 square kilometers, is a UNESCO World Heritage tentative site known for its Afro-alpine meadows, dense forests, and towering peaks, including Tullu Dimtu the second-highest mountain in Ethiopia"
The researcher revealed that Bale Mountains National Park is one of the last strongholds for the Ethiopian wolf, the rarest kind in the world. He said "Our work focuses on protecting this fragile habitat and educating the surrounding communities to participate in sustainable conservation.”
Speaking to EBC World Abdul Hakim Aliyi, Bale zone Administration head said The Bale Mountains hosts the largest population of the endemic and endangered Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis). He said tourists across the World specially those interested with hiking and adventure lovers flock to the mountains and they are spending unforgettable time.
According to the head, the zone is carrying out multiple activities ranging from maximizing the hotel tourism service, to offering skilled guides to host tourists and maximize national revenue. He called up on tourists to pay a visit to Bale National Mountains Park.
To wrap up EBC World crew noticed that Bale Mountains National Park is endowed with huge outstanding and irreplaceable natural resources where we highly recommend both local as well foreign tourists to pay a visit in life time.
