Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 11:27:41 -0400
The Gash and Setit Rivers
The zone is bounded by the Gash River in the north and the Setit (Tekeze)
River in the south. The area is situated in Gash Barka region, south
western Eritrea at some 300km west of Asmara along the road that links
Asmara and Tesenei. It falls within the semi-arid lowlands agro-ecological
zone, characterized by a warm and semi-arid climate with temperatures
ranging from 20 to 41 degree centigrade and an elevation of 1000-1500m.
The mean annual rainfall is 200-400mm and very erratic.
The area harbors a good number of wild life species including African
Elephant (Laxodonta Africana) Greater Kudu, Red Fronted Gazelle, Dorcas
Gazelle, Warthog, Water Buck and others. Bird life in the area is
particularly rich. The African Elephant in Eritrea is the most northern
range on the continent; their population is steadily climbing up. The Setit
River flows throughout the year and it is crucial for the existence of
elephants in this most northern limit.
Buri Peninsula and Gelal-Tio-Bada Triangle
Buri Peninsula is located in the Northern Red Sea region, in the coastal
area approximately 140 kilometers southeast of the port city of Massawa.
The area comprises a dramatic landscape of semi desert and fair cover of
vegetation with basaltic lava flowing from recent volcanic activity and has
a rugged and varied topography including scenic bays and the inlet of the
sea. The area used to accommodate a fair range of wildlife species
including globally endangered species of African Wild Ass, and two
different species of gazelles, ostriches, foxes, etc.
In many areas close to the sea, halophytic shrubs such as Suaeda Monoica
dominate the vegetation, and along watercourses, there may be small areas
of Doum Palm (Hyphaene Thebaica). In some areas Commiphora is the dominant
woody species. Along the mainland, the islands and shorelines are numerous
small pockets of mangrove forest dominated by Avicennia Marina.
African Wild Asses (Equus Africanus Somaliensis) live and breed far south
of the Buri peninsula and extend its home range up to Southern Red Sea
region particularly Areta sub-zone (around Tio). This population of Wild
Ass may be the only viable population of the highly endangered species in
Africa. Other species like Dorcas gazelle (Gazelle Dorcas) and Soemmerringi
gazelle (Gazella Soemmerringi) also use this area on a seasonal basis
congregating in significant numbers on the entire of the peninsula and
Wengebo plains during the wet season. Ostriches (Strthio Camelus) are still
numerous in the Buri Peninsula, and are often found close to settlements
since Afar pastoralists have cultural ethics of conservation. There are
also a number of important seabirds.
Semienawi Bahri
The Green Belt (Semienawi Bahri) is located 24 Km to the northeast of
Asmara and covers an extensive area of approximately 100,000 hectares from
the top of the plateau, running down to the east through several ranges of
hills to the beginning of the eastern lowlands. The area is administered
under Ginda sub-zone, Northern Red Sea region. The altitude varies from
500m to 2500m with a north south range of 20km. The natural vegetation is
dense and open forests dominated by Olea Africana, Juniperus Procera. The
steeper hillsides are covered with woody vegetation. Canopy cover ranges
from around 20 percent on some hillsides to 80 percent in gullies and
valley bottoms. At the highest point of the forested area (2300m)
vegetation is dominated by shrubby Juniperus Procera, seldom exceeding 8
meters in height (despite its potential for reaching 40 meters). The
species are slowly regenerating and young trees are relatively plentiful. A
large range of species are found at lower elevations. This narrow belt zone
is evergreen almost all year round mainly due to its high and well
distributed rain and the frequent occurrence of mist, gave chance for
diversified wildlife species. They include: Greater Kudu, Vervet Monkey,
and the Leopard just to name a few are reported as coming back. Certainly,
restoration of the forestry cover in a richer floristic composition
contributed for a positive impact on the diversity of wildlife species.
Semienawi Bahri has various and highly valuable assets. The proximity of
the forest areas to Asmara, their fascinating landscape and their potential
of a large biological diversity are values that can be explored and used
for eco-tourism, education and scientific researches.
Written by shabait Administrator
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