Simien Mountains are Burning

The Semien Mountains, in northern Ethiopia, north east of Gondar in Amhara region, are part of the Ethiopian Highlands. They are a World Heritage Site and include the Simien Mountains National Park. The mountains consist of plateaus separated by valleys and rising to pinnacles. The tallest peak is Ras Dejen (4,550 m); other notable heights include Mounts Biuat (4,437 m) and Kidis Yared (4,453 m).

Because of their geological origins, the mountains are almost unique, with only South Africa's Drakensberg having been formed in the same manner and thus appearing similar. Notable animals in the mountains include the walia ibex, gelada, and caracal. There are a few Ethiopian 

The Semien Mountains were formed prior to the creation of the Rift Valley, from lava outpourings between 40 and 25 million years ago during the Oligocene period. The volcano is believed to have spread over more than 5000 m² and resulted in a thick sequence of basaltic lava some 3,000-3,500 m thick that was deposited on Precambrian crystalline basement. The major part of the Semien Mountains consists of remnants of a Hawaiian-type shield volcano. The Kidus Yared peak is situated near the center of the shield volcano. Ras Dejen (4,533 m), Bwahit (4,430 m) and Silki (4,420 m) were formed from the outer core of this ancient volcano.

The extreme escarpment in Semien appears to be a precondition for the formation of the extended uplift of the whole mountain massif 75 million years ago. The dramatic views are due to this volcanic activity. Especially of note is the 2,000 m high escarpment extending in a southwest-northeast direction.

There are different types of soils as a result of the difference in geological formation, glaciations, topography, and climate. The Humic Andosol is the dominant soil type which is mainly found at an altitude of 3,000 m. The other types of soil are shallow Andosols, Lithosols, and Haplic Phaeozems that are mainly common in the area between 2,500 and 3,500 m. The Semien Mountains are highly eroded as a result of human land use practices and as a result of the topography of the area.

Although the word Semien means "north" in Amharic, according to Richard Pankhurst the ancestral form of the word actually meant "south" in Ge'ez, because the mountains lay to the south of Aksum, which was at the time the center of Ethiopian civilization. But as over the following centuries the center of Ethiopian civilization itself moved to the south, these mountains came to be thought of as lying to the north, and the meaning of the word likewise changed.

The Semiens are remarkable as being one of the few spots in Africa where snow regularly falls. First mentioned in the Monumentum Adulitanum of the 4th century AD (which described them as "inaccessible mountains covered with snow" and where soldiers walked up to their knees in snow), the presence of snow was undeniably witnessed by the 17th century Jesuit priest Jerónimo Lobo. Although the later traveler James Bruce claims that he had never witnessed snow in the Semien Mountains, the 19th century explorer Henry Salt not only recorded that he saw snow there (on 9 April 1814), but explained the reason for Bruce's failure to see snow in these mountains – Bruce had ventured no further than the foothills into the Semiens.

Despite their ruggedness and altitude, the mountains are dotted with villages linked by tracks. Historically they were inhabited by Ethiopian Jews (the Beta Israel), who after repeated attacks by the zealous Christian Emperors in the 15th century withdrew from the province of Dembiya into the more defensible Semien mountains.

Towards the end of the Zemene Mesafint, Dejazmach Wube Haile Mariam maintained his arsenal and treasury on Mount Hai

borkena.com

Consisting of Ras Dejen (also known as Ras Dashen), the highest peak over 4,530 meters above sea level, Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains in the North Western parts of the country has been one of the major tourist attractions.

UNESCO called the Simien National Park, which is part of Semien Mountains, as “one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.” The park is also known for its endemic animals the Walia ibex, Chilada baboon, and the Simien fox.

News coming from the regional state since Thursday, March 28, 2019, seems to indicate that the park is facing great threat, perhaps in its history.

A fierce fire is raging in the park since yesterday and it does not to be under control although there were initial reports, from the region’s Wildlife protection and conservation authority Director – Belayneh Ayele that the fire was controlled but that does not seem to be the case. Trees and grass in the park are burned.

Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA) reported on Friday that the fire is out of control. The methods used to control the fire since Thursday was traditional ones including using water and soil, and mostly volunteer based – showing lack of coordinated emergency response on the part of government. Students, farmers and the region’s Special Forces, among others, are engaged in the effort to put out the fire.

North Gonder Zone authorities have already pleaded for government support although the Federal government is yet to respond to it.

Apart from lack of modern methods like Air spray using aircraft, dry grass in the park and wind have aggravated the fire.

Cause of the fire is believed to be arson but no suspects are in custody so far, according to the region’s state media.

This is the second wild fire in the country in less than a week. Bale National Park in South Ethiopia experienced similar situation.

Skeptical politicized Ethiopians seem to see the news of fire on Ethiopia’s’ two important parks as parts of coordinated and orchestrated strategy to create another dimension of crisis in the country.