{"id":160,"date":"2018-12-26T16:36:50","date_gmt":"2018-12-26T16:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/?p=160"},"modified":"2018-12-27T07:48:02","modified_gmt":"2018-12-27T07:48:02","slug":"the-simien-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/2018\/12\/26\/the-simien-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"The Simien Mountains\u2019 Tree Protector"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Written by Tadeja L. Colnar<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"695\" src=\"http:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planine-1-1024x695.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"162\" data-link=\"http:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/?attachment_id=162\" class=\"wp-image-162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planine-1-1024x695.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planine-1-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planine-1-768x521.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Simien Mountains National Park\u00a0in Amhara region in northern Ethiopia\u00a0offers some of the country\u2019s most rewarding hikes.\u00a0Admiring vistas in the Simien Mountains is exhilarating. Even\u00a0UNESCO mentions that\u00a0the spectacular scenery of these mountains is considered to rival Colorado\u2019s Grand Canyon. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formed by ancient\u00a0volcanic eruptions, the Simien Mountains are known for dramatic cliffs and deep valleys\u00a0which give home to several endemic\u00a0species. On a clear day,\u00a0views from some of the cliffs are reaching up to a hundred kilometers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The national park&nbsp;attracts nature enthusiasts from all over the world eager to take on its mountains, or search for abundant wildlife. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978, \u201cthe park is of global significance for biodiversity conservation because it is home to globally threatened species, including the iconic Walia ibex, a wild mountain goat found nowhere else in the world, the Gelada baboon and the Ethiopian wolf\u201d (UNESCO, 1978).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"876\" src=\"http:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/opice-1024x876.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/opice-1024x876.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/opice-300x256.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/opice-768x657.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/opice.jpg 1924w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption>The Gelada Baboon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>People have been inhabiting the area for centuries. Balancing co-existence with endangered species along with finding ways for sustainable livelihoods of local communities presents a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For these&nbsp;reasons, we visited <a href=\"http:\/\/semienkossoye.com\/\">Befikir&nbsp;Kossoye EcoLodge<\/a> some 32 km&nbsp;north of Gondar, on the way to the park. Mr. Dagnew Legesse, the owner of the lodge, is the Simien Mountains\u2019 Tree Protector. He&nbsp;has planted over 100,000 local indigenous trees in a deforested area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"733\" src=\"http:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/tree-protector-1-1024x733.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/tree-protector-1-1024x733.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/tree-protector-1-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/tree-protector-1-768x549.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption>The Simien Mountains\u2019 Tree Protector, Mr. Dagnew Legesse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employing over 40 people from the neighboring communities, life at the eco-lodge is intimately linked with the wild landscapes. It took about 7 years for newly planted trees to provide life giving underground waters on previously devastated area. The soil is made more productive by inter-planting various species, composting makes it even more fertile.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/kompost-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/kompost-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/kompost-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/kompost-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/kompost.jpg 1632w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption>Composting Kossoye Leaves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bees are giving aromatic white honey abundantly. During our visit, while drinking the most delicious fresh milk with honey, a baby cow was born. True gifts of nature!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though Befikir Kossoye lodge is famous for delicious local cuisine and spectacular scenery, it also a place&nbsp;where Queen Elizabeth II of England and the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie camped in 1965 while driving between Gondar and Axum.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lodge offers cozy accommodation in triple, double and single suites, each named after a famous Ethiopian. The layout of the suites is in alignment with old traditions, nurturing for people and nature alike.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"762\" src=\"http:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/soba-2-1024x762.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/soba-2-1024x762.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/soba-2-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/soba-2-768x571.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption>Suites at Befikir Kossoye Eco-Lodge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wendell Berry once wrote that the care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope. At the&nbsp;Befikir Kossoye Eco-lodge we are recognizing the true sense of these words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/hi\u0161ke-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/hi\u0161ke-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/hi\u0161ke-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/hi\u0161ke-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/hi\u0161ke.jpg 1632w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Tadeja L. Colnar The Simien Mountains National Park\u00a0in Amhara region in northern Ethiopia\u00a0offers some of the country\u2019s most rewarding hikes.\u00a0Admiring vistas in the Simien Mountains is exhilarating. Even\u00a0UNESCO mentions that\u00a0the spectacular scenery of these mountains is considered to rival Colorado\u2019s Grand Canyon. \u00a0 Formed by ancient\u00a0volcanic eruptions, the Simien Mountains are known for &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/2018\/12\/26\/the-simien-mountains\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;The Simien Mountains\u2019 Tree Protector&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":188,"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions\/188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nativa-institute.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}