Threats of Bale Mountains National Park and solutions, Ethiopia

 

Temesgen Gashaw

Review I Published August,2015

 

Journal of Physical Science and Environmental Studies Vol. 1 (2), pp. 10-16

ABSTRACT

Protected areas are the main biodiversity home throughout the world. The Bale Mountains National Park is one of the protected areas of Ethiopia containing the largest Afro-alpine habitat in the continent. The park was established in 1970, supporting high levels of species richness and endemism. In Bale Mountains National Park, 78 mammal species (22 are endemic) and 278 bird species (16 are endemic) have been recorded. Furthermore, the park is an important source for more than 40 rivers and 340 recognized medical plants. In spite of the huge potential of the area, agricultural land is expanding rapidly, grazing areas are heavily degraded, forests are being cut and cleared, and water systems disrupted. There is no effective resource ownership, and users are taking advantage as open access resource management regimes in the area. Consequently, resource losses are increasing alarmingly. Having the problem, remedial solutions taken for conservation of park resources are minimal. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the threats of Bale Mountains National Park and to suggest solutions. Data for this review were collected from journals, books, symposiums and thesis.

Key words: Ethiopia, Bale Mountains National Park, Solutions Threats.

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