Tentative World Heritage Sites of Bale Zone: Current Status and

Problems for not Being Registered Permanently: The Case of Bale

Mountains National Park, Sofumer Cave and Dirre Sheik Hussein
Shrine.

A Research Paper

Submitted By:

Melese Moareta (MA in Tourism and Heritage Management)

Yirdaw Asfaw (MA in Tourism and Heritage Management)

Sewnet Tesfaye (MA in Tourism and Heritage Management)

Submitted to:

College of Business and Economics Research and Technology

Transfer Coordinating Office

Research, Community Engagement, and Technology Transfer Vice

President

Madda Walabu University

June, 2017

Bale Robe, Ethiopia

 Declaration
We hereby declare that the research entitled as “Tentative World Heritage Sites of Bale Zone:
Current Status and Problems for not being registered permanently: The Case of Bale
Mountains NP, Sofumer Cave and Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine” is the original work which
did not done by any others before.
_____________________ __________________ _______________________
Principal Investigator Director, College of Coordinator, Research
Business and Economics Theme

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 Acknowledgement

First of all, our deep gratitude goes to Almighty God, being with us to accomplish this study.
Next, our cordial thanks go to our University (Madda Walabu University) which provided
financial support to conduct this research.

We would like to extend our appreciation to EWCA (Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation

Authority), ARCCH (Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages), MoCT
(Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia), OCTB (Oromia Culture and Tourism
Bureau), UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison office, BZCTO (Bale Zone Culture and Tourism
Office) and others not mentioned yet for providing information and materials pertinent to the
research.

Without all the above mentioned and other people supported us, this research would not have
been possible.

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 Madda Walabu University

Research Approval Sheet

Research, Community Engagement, and Technology Transfer Vice President

Research Title: “Tentative World Heritage Sites of Bale Zone: Current Status and Problems
for not being registered permanently: The Case of Bale Mountains National Park, Sofumer
Cave and Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine”
Research Implementation Area: Bale Robe, Ethiopia
Research Code-----------------
Starting Date ------------------------ Completion Date------------------------
Principal Investigator: Melese Moareta
Reporting Period: ________________
Progress report Progress report Progress report Progress report Progress report

Confirmation statement of the investigator/s:

We certify that the research is original and we implemented the research as it was proposed.
Co-investigator/s: Sewnet Tesfaye and Yirdaw Asfaw
Budget covered by Madda Walabu University: 32, 239.75 ETB
Name………………………………. Name: ………………………………….
Signature …………………………… Signature………………………………
Date………………………………… Date ……………………………………
Principal Investigator Research, Community Engagement, and
(On the behalf of the investigators) Technology Transfer Vice President
(On behalf of Madda Walabu University)

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 Abstract
Bale Zone has endowed with plenty of heritage assets. From these plenty of resources, there
are 3 heritage resources namely: Bale Mountains National Park, Sofumer Cave and Dirre
Sheik Hussein Shrine which are registered by UNESCO as tentatively listed heritages.
However, these tentatively listed heritages are still not registered by UNESCO under the
permanently listed heritages. So the aim of this study is to investigate the Current status of
registration process and the reason why these heritages are not registered by UNESCO
permanently. To achieve this objective, descriptive research design was used. Both primary
and secondary data were gathered .The data were collected through extensive review
literatures, semi-structured in-depth interview and FGD. The subjects of the study were
tourism experts, local community elders, religious leaders, Kebele and Woreda’s
administrators and UNESCO representative experts. Qualitative data was gathered through
FGD, interview and researchers’ personal observation and, this data was analyzed through
narration and quotation and presented thematically. The research findings revealed that the
tentative world heritage lists of bale zone are still not became permanent lists since 2008 in
the study the major problems were identified. These are lack of skilled manpower, lack of
collaboration and coordination among different stakeholders, lack of infrastructure, lack of
adequate budget and finance, deforestation and over grazing, poor conservation and
management, lack of detailed comparative analysis, lack of awareness, lack of standard map
and buffering mechanism, continuous change of manager/leaders in their position, lack of
full community participation and benefit and poor amenities. So to conserve the heritages
and registered them by UNESCO permanently tourism stakeholders should cooperate each
other to solve the problems related to the tentative listed heritages. Moreover, permanent
string committee should be established with multidiscipline subject maters to solve the
problems related to professionalism. In addition, awareness creation programs and
strategies should be designed to improve the heritage conservation and management issues.
Key words: UNESCO, Outstanding Universal Value, Tentative List and World Heritage List.

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 Acronyms

BMNP…..Bale Mountains National Park

CPWD…. Central Public Works Department

FGD…… Focus Group Discussion

ICOMOS…..International Council on Monuments and Sites

IUCN… International Union for Conservation of Nature

MoCT….. Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia

NGOs…. Non-Governmental Organizations

OUV…. Outstanding Universal Value

UK….. United Kingdom

UNEP… United Nation Environmental Programme

UNESCO….United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization

WHC…. World Heritage Center

WHL….. World Heritage List

ARCCH-----Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages

EWCA-----Ethiopian wildlife Conservation Authority

SMNP---Simien Mountains National Park

HRM----Human Resource Management

ICT---- Information & Communications Technology

EDPM---Educational Planning and Management

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 Contents
Declaration.............................................................................................................................................i
Acknowledgement.................................................................................................................................ii
Abstract.................................................................................................................................................iv
Acronyms..............................................................................................................................................v
CHAPTER ONE....................................................................................................................................1
1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................1
1.1 Back ground of the study.............................................................................................................1
1.2 Statements of the Problem...........................................................................................................2
1.3 Objectives of the study................................................................................................................5
1.3.1 General Objective.................................................................................................................5
1.3.2 Specific Objectives...............................................................................................................5
1.4. Research Questions.....................................................................................................................5
1.5. Significance of the Study............................................................................................................5
1.6 Scope of the Study.......................................................................................................................6
1.7. Limitation of the Study...............................................................................................................6
1.8 Organization of the Research.......................................................................................................6
CHAPTER TWO...................................................................................................................................8
2. LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................................................................................8
2.1. Types of Heritage Properties and Selection Criteria of UNESCO..............................................8
2.2. World Heritages and UNESCO..................................................................................................9
2.3. World Heritages Sites of Ethiopia..............................................................................................9
2.4. Tentatively Listed World Heritages of Ethiopia.......................................................................12
2.5. Challenges of Ethiopian heritages.............................................................................................14
2.6 Conceptual Frame Work of the Study........................................................................................16
CHAPTER THREE.............................................................................................................................17
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................17
3.1 Description of the Study Area....................................................................................................17
3.2 Research Design........................................................................................................................18
3.3 Subjects of the Study.................................................................................................................18
3.4 Sampling Technique and sample size determination.................................................................18
3.5 Source of data............................................................................................................................18
3.6. Data Gathering Instruments......................................................................................................18
3.7 Data Gathering Procedures........................................................................................................19

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 3.8 Data Analysis technique............................................................................................................19
3.9 Ethical Consideration.................................................................................................................19
CHAPTER FOUR...............................................................................................................................20
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION........................................................................................................20
4.1 Bale Mountains National Park...................................................................................................20
4.1.1 Problems of Bale Mountains National Park........................................................................20
4.1.2 Current status of the Bale Mountains National Park....................................................27
4.2 Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine........................................................................................................28
4.2.1. Problems of Dirre sheik Hussein shrine.............................................................................29
4.2.2. Current Status of Dirre Sheik Hussien Shrine....................................................................36
4.3. Sofumer cave............................................................................................................................37
4.3.1 Problems of Sofumer cave..................................................................................................37
4.3.2 Current status of Sofumer cave...........................................................................................43
CHAPTER FIVE.................................................................................................................................45
5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...........................................................................45
5.1. Conclusion................................................................................................................................45
5.2. Recommendations....................................................................................................................46
Reference.............................................................................................................................................48
Appendices..........................................................................................................................................52

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 List of Figures
Figure 1: Conceptual frame work (Source: researchers own compilation, 2017).................................16
Figure 2: Map of the Study Area (Source: General Management Plan, 2007).....................................17
Figure 3: Illegal Settlement in Rira Area (Source: Photo by the researchers, 2017)............................21
Figure 4: Over Grazing in Sanetti and its surroundings (Source: Photo by Reseachers, 2017 & shemil,
2017)...................................................................................................................................................22
Figure 5: Biniyam Memorial and Wild Fire (Source: Left Photo by researchers, 2017 and the right by
Anteneh and Temesgen, 2009)............................................................................................................23
Figure 6: Deforestation and fire wood Collection (Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)...................24
Figure 7: Dog at Sanetti and dead Ethiopian Wolf (Source: Left by Researchers, 2017 and Right from
Shemil, 2017)......................................................................................................................................24
Figure 8: Excavated area from Sanetti (Left) and (right) Road improvement in Harenna Forest
(Source, Photo by Researchers, 2017).................................................................................................25
Figure 9: Maps, Sign board and Explanations around Dirre (Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)....29
Figure 10: Different views of Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine (Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)......29
Figure 11: Problems related to road and Dirre town Accommodation (Source: Photo by researchers,
2017)...................................................................................................................................................31
Figure 12: Dirre Sheik Hussein Pond Water (Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)...........................32
Figure 13: Heritages in Destruction and Deterioration (Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)............33
Figure 14: Profile of Employees in Golelcha Wereda Culture and Tourism Office (Source: Photo
by Researchers, 2017)..........................................................................................................................35
Figure 15: main road to Sofumer cave (Source: Photo by researchers, 2017)......................................38
Figure 16: Road on Sofumer cave (left) and cracked inner part of the cave (right) (Source: Photo by
Researchers, 2017)..............................................................................................................................40
Figure 17: Human and animal interference in the core area of Sofumer (Source: Photo
by researchers, 2017)...........................................................................................................................41
Figure 18: Electric power cables in side part of the cave (Source: Photo by the researchers, 2017)....41
Figure 19: Reception House and heritages inside it (Source: Photo by the Researchers, 2017)...........42
Figure 20: Electric power via Sofumer to Mi’oo (Source: Photo by researchers, 2017)......................43

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 CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Back ground of the study

Heritages refers to monuments, architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and

painting, elements or structures of an archaeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and
combinations of features which are of outstanding value from the point of view of history, art
or science and natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of
such formations, which are of outstanding value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view
(UNESCO, ND).

The expression "harmonization of Tentative World Heritage Lists” started to appear in the
early 1990s in a number of World Heritage documents (Samir, 2013). “Registrations and
inscriptions”, which encompass registers and inventories of national and international status
covering tangible, intangible, and movable heritage and special attention is paid to the regular
updating of such registers and inventories in order to monitor the continuity of the public
commitment regarding heritage’s protection (UNESCO, ND).The first step a country must
take is making an „inventory‟ of its important natural and cultural heritage sites located
within its boundaries. This „inventory‟ is known as the Tentative List, and provides a
forecast of the properties that a State Party may decide to submit for inscription in the next
five to ten years and which may be updated at any time (UNESCO, 2008).

A Tentative List is a national inventory of those properties which a State Party considers to
have Outstanding Universal Value, and thus suitable for inscription on the World Heritage
List (Westrik, 2012) and According to Anglin (2013), it is an inventory of natural and
cultural heritage sites, which a country believes meet the World Heritage Committee
selection criteria and from which it intends to nominate sites within 10 years. In order for a
site to be nominated to the World Heritage List, it must be included on its country's Tentative
List. The List may be updated at any time, but a site must be included on the Tentative List
for at least one year to be considered for nomination.

The cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable assets, not only of
each nation, but of humanity as a whole. The loss, through deterioration or disappearance, of
any of these most prized assets constitutes an impoverishment of the heritage of all the
peoples in the world. Parts of this heritage, because of their exceptional qualities, can be

1
considered to be of “outstanding universal value “and as such worthy of special protection
against the dangers which increasingly threaten them (Westrik, 2012). The cultural and
natural heritage criteria help to define „outstanding universal value‟ and have been revised
over time to adapt to changing interpretations of this concept (UNESCO, 2007). The number
of Africa region nominations can be increased through a continued facilitation of the
nomination process of potential World Heritage properties, which is considered as part of
general awareness building (UNESCO, 2011).

Ethiopia is one of the listed countries in UNESCO by having twelve (12) world heritages.
These world heritages are Simien Mountain National Park, Rock hewn churches of Lalibela,
Castles of Gondar, Lower Awash Valley, Tiya Standing stones, Stelae of Aksum, Lower
Omo Valley, Harar Jugol, Konso Cultural Landscape /fortified settlements in the Konso
highlands of Ethiopia, finding of the true cross/Mesqal, Fitche Chambalaalla and Gada
System. In addition, the country has five tourism resources tentatively inscribed under
UNESCO and even there are many for not being registered. Among five tentative heritage
lists, three are found in Bale Zone Namely Bale Mountains National Park, Sofumer cave and
Dirre Sheik Hussein shrine. So this study focuses on the identification of the current status of
these heritages and the problems they face not for not being registered permanently by
UNESCO.

1.2 Statements of the Problem

A site must meet one or more of the ten World Heritage Committee selection criteria, be on a
state party's tentative list, and go through a nomination process before being considered for
inscription on the world heritage lists. A site can be proposed for inscription only by the
country in which the property is located (http://www.nps.gov/oia/topics/worldheritage). As
identified by Somuncu and Ygit in 2010, there are two major group of problems, the first
group is from the National World Heritage Management System such as management plan;
administrative structure, buffer zone, financial resources, visitor management, information
vulnerability and promotion deficiency, social awareness regarding World Heritage Sites,
protection activities, communication and cooperation between stakeholders related to World
Heritage Sites protection and protection activities, monitoring; and staff problems, must be
seriously considered. The second group of problem is field-level problems which are specific
to each World Heritage site and are different in nature from each other. It includes
negligence, unprofessional restoration, infrastructures, wastage, overgrazing.

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The use of heritage in tourism, in particular in excessive or poorly managed forms of tourism,
as well as the development of infrastructure related to tourism may dirrectly threaten the
integrity of the heritage (UNEP, 2005).Specially conflicts over natural resources between the
communities living adjacent to protected areas and tourism development have increased in
recent years because of changes in land use and accompanying new ideas about wildlife
resource management and utilization(Amare, 2015). Additionally, Poaching and illegal
wildlife trade activities in and around the parks, as well as the unwise use of natural resources
have been the major problems facing the parks and have led to the extinction of some fauna
species(Alemneh,2015). In Ethiopia, Heritages have not been adequately protected,
developed and used as a tourist attraction (Temesgen, 2011) and there is a serious shortage in
number and type of tourist facilities. In addition, the quality of service is poor and
unsatisfactory to tourists and lack of resources, weak coordination of institutions and failure
of various stakeholders in playing their roles (Temesgen, 2011). Moreover, according to
Kauffmann (2008) it is also stated that, Ethiopia does not have enough tourism professionals
and experts including at the federal level.

Furthermore, many protected areas in Ethiopia are threatened due to ever increasing of
population, loss of habitat and degradation and land use changes through agriculture, rural
and urban development activities that have led to the decline and alteration of wild areas,
resulting in the extinction to wildlife species and natural areas which serve as their habitat
(Amare, 2015). Similarly, Continuous loss of habitat due to high-altitude subsistence
agriculture represents the major threat to the very existence of Ethiopian wolf. Sixty percent
of all land above 3,200m above sea level has been converted into farmland (Biodiversity
Indicators Development National Task Force, 2010).
With respect to cultural properties, they are mainly affected by local conditions as physical
fabrics, social/cultural uses of heritage, pollution, sudden ecological or geological events,
other human activities (illegal activities and deliberate destruction of heritages), transporting
infrastructure, biological resource use/modification and climate change and severe weather
events (UNESCO,2011). According to Firdyiwok (2012) heritage management is poor in
Ethiopia because of the financial and professional constraints, lack of awareness and
development activities, natural factors and unduly little consideration given to the cultural
legacies and natural assets. A poorly conserved heritage can often be attributed to the lack of
management plan and inadequate resources for maintenance, monitoring, or enforcement. In
many developing countries, budgets for cultural heritage conservation are understandably

3
limited and restricted funding often results in inadequate staffing levels, training, and
equipment as well lack of management plan. Even if a management plan exists, there may be
little hope that it can be implemented properly (Alto, 2010).
Ethiopia has some long history rich in tradition; its sites and monuments bear witness to the
civilizations for thousands of years. World Heritage Site status is a catalyst for more effective
conservation, partnership working, civic pride, social capital, learning and education and
additional funding and investment. Since 1978 numbers of heritages registered by UNESCO
in Ethiopia increased from time to time and Considering these tourism resources as part of
the heritage of all humankind, the General Conference of UNESCO has approved the
Organization's participation in support of an International Campaign to Safeguard the
Principal Monuments and Sites of Ethiopia (www.fanosethiopiatours.com).
At present, Ethiopia has more world heritage lists (12) when comparing to other African
countries. These eleven heritages are not sufficient when comparing to country’s heritage
potentials. Some of its heritages are also under tentative lists of UNESCO since 2008 but not
registered permanently still now. In this regard, Bale Zone is one of the areas exposed for this
issue. Even though Bale Zone is endowed with diversified potential tourism resources which
include Bale Mountains National Park, Sofumer cave and Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine, these
tourism resources are under tentative lists of UNESCO since 2008 rather than becoming
under the category of permanent lists. Some reasons include due to lack of awareness, lack of
well-trained experts, lack of finance, short comings of implementations of the legislations,
unprofessional and unwise conservation works, lack of promotion, lack of infrastructure, lack
of international assistance and cooperation, financial and technical constraints are some of the
problems observed in the study area (pilot survey, 2016).
There are some research works done in the study area by raised different issues like tourist
destination governance (Zemene and Biruk, 2015), tourism resource identification (Sintayehu
and et al, 2015), challenges of tourism promotion (Birhanu and Mesfin, 2015), and
community based tourism (Biruk and Firdyiwok, 2014) but not dirrectly related to the issue
of current status and problems faced to these heritages for not being registered permanently
by UNESCO. As result, this study focused on the identification of the current status and
problems faced the heritages of bale zone which are under tentative lists since 2008 but not
under the category of permanent lists up to the present.

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1.3 Objectives of the study
1.3.1 General Objective
The main objective of this study is to identify the current status of registration process and
problems of tentative world heritage lists of Bale Zone (BMNP, Sofumer cave and Dirre
Sheik Hussein shrine) for not being registered under permanent list of UNESCO.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

1. To assess the current status of registration process for tentatively listed heritages of Bale
Zone.
2. To identify the problems of Bale Zone tentative listed heritages for not being registered
permanently under UNESCO.
1.4. Research Questions
1. What is the current status of registration process for tentatively listed heritages of Bale
Zone?
2. Why Bale Zone tentative listed heritages are not listed under Permanent lists of UNESCO?
1.5. Significance of the Study
The result of the paper will help the concerned bodies (like, ministry of Culture and Tourism
of Ethiopian, Oromia Culture and Tourism Bureau, Bale zone culture and tourism office,
researchers and scholars) to understand the reasons of why the heritages are not registered by
UNESCO.

In the Bale Zone, there are internal and external factors affecting heritages such as the way of
promotion, lack of infrastructures, lack of awareness about how the heritages are registered,
management problems, lack of skilled manpower, UNESCO and lack of coordination with
concerned stakeholders, misunderstanding from some stakeholders and lack of attention, lack
of specialized personnel about heritages conservation. Therefore, it is hoped that the
stakeholders „will take all the necessary measures to overcome the challenges and problems
by using this study’s findings and recommendations.

In addition, it will serve as a reference for researchers and for policy and decision makers, as
well this study will be become an input to influence UNESCO to register the heritages in
general and in the study area in particular.

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1.6 Scope of the Study
This study would conceptually cover to the identification of the current status and problems
faced Bale Zone tentative listed heritages which are not registered permanently under
UNESCO. Geographically the study was covered tentative world heritage lists of Bale Zone
(BMNP, Sofumer cave and Dirre Sheik Hussein shrine). Periodically, this research conducted
specifically from the end of August, 2016 to the beginning of June, 2017.

1.7. Limitation of the Study

Before conducting this research, the researchers were hopeful to find the problems that hinder
the Bale zone Tentative list of world heritage sites to be registered permanently by UNESCO.
However, when the researchers tried to investigate the problems about the destinations, there
were absence of regular transport and presence of uncomfortable roads especially to Sofumer
cave and Dirre sheik Hussein shrine from the capital city bale zone, Robe. Another problem
faced was presence of different meetings by the managers and leaders of bureaus and offices
who are the main respondents of the research. In addition, there was presence of newly
assigned managers or leaders to different offices and unable to provide appropriate
information about the main issues of the research. Some interviewees were also frustrated to
provide the information related to the problems and refused for their interview to be recorded
as video or to take photo. Since the researchers used purposive sampling for the interview,
two or three times attempt was there to get purposefully selected interviewees. Even some
information is found in word of mouth and others are controversial to each other. However,
the researchers tried to minimize such challenges by using different options such as taking
photos previously taken about the heritages from culture and tourism offices, substitute the
proposed interviewees by equivalent experts and other related mechanisms to make this study
fruitful as much as possible.

1.8 Organization of the Research

This research has five chapters. Chapter one contains an introductory part which describes
background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, significance of the
study, scope of the study and limitation of the study. In chapter two different literatures have
been discussed related to the tentative world heritage lists registered by UNESCO and
heritages registered permanently. Specifically, problems and current status of bale zone world
tentatively listed heritages and related issues as well as conceptual framework is included in
this part. Chapter three of this research focuses on research methodology which specifically

6
deals with the study area description, the research design, population and participants of the
study, sampling techniques and sample size determination, sources of data, collection
instruments, method of data analysis and ethical considerations. In Chapter four data analysis
and interpretation of the result is included. The fifth Chapter deals about conclusion and
recommendations.

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 CHAPTER TWO
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
In this part of the study, the researchers were review related literatures, related studies and
related readings which have direct or indirect relevance for this particular study. The purpose
of this review of literature is to find out the similarities and differences of the past studies and
to fill the gap.
2.1. Types of Heritage Properties and Selection Criteria of UNESCO
Different scholars define and explain about the concept of heritage in different times.
According to Ndoro, and et al (2009), heritage is that which is inherited; one’s inherited a lot;
anything transmitted from ancestors or past age. This goes beyond physical remains from the
past to include aspects of culture such as language, spiritual beliefs, and intangible heritages
such as the belief in sacred river, groves, forests or mountains. With respect to the cultural
aspect of heritage WHC (2008) state that "Cultural heritage" is monuments: architectural
works, works of monumental sculpture and painting, elements or structures of an
archaeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations of features, which are of
outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science. Natural features
are also consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which
are of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view (Somuncu and
Yiğit, 2010).

The cultural properties are nominated for UNESCO heritage list under criteria describing
them as “masterpieces of human creative genius” (criterion i), exhibiting “an important
interchange of human values” (criterion ii), bear “exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
or to a civilization” (criterion iii). Others are “outstanding example(s) of a type of building,
architectural or technological ensemble” (criterion IV), spectacular settings of “traditional
human settlement, land use or sea use” (criterion v) and “associated with events or living
traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs” (criterion VI) (Comhshaol and et al, 2008).

The Natural properties are also nominated under criteria which emphasized on “exceptional
natural beauty” (criterion vii), “outstanding examples representing major stages of earth‟s
history” (criterion viii), “outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological
and biological processes” (criterion ix) and “contain the most important and significant
natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity” (criterion x) (IUCN, 2014).

8
In addition, Mixed Properties are combine human creative genius with superlative natural
phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance, which contribute
to the understanding of the earth‟s history (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2011).

2.2. World Heritages and UNESCO

World Heritage is an international system of mutual cooperation between states set up to
identify, protect, manage, present and transmit to future generations places of Outstanding
Universal Value (OUV) to all humanity, according to the terms of the 1972 UNESCO
Convention concerning the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage (Independent Expert
Panel Report, 2011).

The World Heritage Convention was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 16
November 1972(Samir, 2013). The World Heritage Convention is a unique legal instrument,
based on the idea that some cultural and natural heritage sites are of such outstanding and
universal importance that they need to „be preserved as part of the world heritage of mankind
as a whole‟ (World Heritage Convention, 1972).

To ensure that the World Heritage status serves as a catalyst for environmental, Economic
and social development for the local communities around African World Heritage Sites
(Kiriama, 2014), so it needs Protection and management of World Heritage properties should
ensure that the outstanding universal value, the conditions of integrity and/or authenticity at
the time of inscription are maintained or enhanced in the future (WHC, 2008). World
Heritage Site is a unique natural, cultural or combined place deemed to be of Outstanding
Universal Value (OUV). That means its significance is so exceptional it transcends national
boundaries and is of common importance for present and future generations worldwide
(Johnston, and et al, 2012). The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places of importance to
cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention,
established in 1972 (UNESCO, 2008).

2.3. World Heritages Sites of Ethiopia

Ethiopia ratified the UNESCO World Heritage Convention as one of the first countries on
July 6, 1977, making its heritages for inclusion on the list (UNESCO, 2008). Sites in Ethiopia
were first inscribed on the list at the 2nd Session of the World Heritage Committee, held in
Washington, D.C. in 1978. At that session, two sites were registered: The Rock-Hewn
Church of Lalibela and Simien Mountains National Park (UNESCO, 2008). As of July 2014,

9
Ethiopia has nine total sites inscribed on the list. Of these, one site, Simien National Park, is
of natural type, and the others are cultural heritages (UNESCO, 2008).

The Simien Mountains National Park was established in 1969 and is recognized and
protected under national protected areas legislation. It is fulfilled Criterion (vii) and Criterion
(x) for not being registered by UNESCO and have threats like human settlement, cultivation
and soil erosion, particularly around the village of Gich (Biodiversity Indicators Development
National Task Force,2010). As well, it requires an effective management presence and the
maintenance and increasing of staff levels and training.

The ruins of the city of Aksum inscribed under UNESCO in 1980 with fulfillment of criteria
IV (ICOMOS, 2004). The authenticity of Aksum obelisks, tombs and other monuments
remain intact, although they are vulnerable due to lack of conservation. It also was put under
the jurisdiction and protection of the National Antiquities Authority in 1958 (Aalund, 1985).

Lalibela is the other heritages that fulfill Criteria i, ii and iii (ICOMOS, 2004) and the
church’s structural problems have been identified in Biet Amanuel where an imminent risk of
collapse and other locations need to be monitored. Serious degradation of the paintings inside
the churches has occurred over the last thirty years. Sculptures and bas-reliefs (such as at the
entrance of Biet Mariam) have also been severely damaged, and their original features are
hardly recognizable. All of this threatens the integrity of the property (Aalund, 1985). Also
the original function of the site as a pilgrimage place still persists and provides evidence of
the continuity of social practices. The intangible heritages associated with church practices
are still preserved (UNESCO, 2008) and the active and energetic perspective is central to the
management of the site. Fasil Castle fulfilled Criterion (ii) and Criterion (iii) and several of
the component sites, including Fasil Ghebbi wall which used as natural boundary. These
enclosed sites retain all the important attributes that substantiate the Outstanding Universal
Value of the property (UNESCO, 2008). In addition, inappropriate conservation
interventions, carried out between 1930 and 1936, using cement and reinforced concrete
caused damage to the original materials and impacted the authenticity of the intervened
components.

The fortified historic town of Harar fulfill Criterion (ii), Criterion (iii), Criterion (IV) and
Criterion (v) (Wikipedia, 2011) And Inappropriate interventions, such as plastering the
houses, changing doors from wood to metal, the introduction of non-traditional materials and
visual impacts such as TV antennas have been gradually affecting the authenticity of the

10
historic fabric. Guidelines for interventions need to be enforced and communicated amongst
the inhabitants to prevent further impacts on the authenticity of the property (UNESCO,
2008). In addition, four levels of protection have been identified for the property within the
Management Plan: principal monuments, important historic buildings, contextual urban
fabric and „out-of-context‟ buildings.

Konso Cultural Landscape is a 55km2 arid properties of stone walled terraces and fortified
settlements in the Konso highlands of Ethiopia. It constitutes a spectacular example of a
living cultural tradition stretching back 21 generations (more than 400 years) adapted to its
dry hostile environment that fulfill Criterion (iii) and Criterion (v) (UNESCO, 2008) and All
components relevant to the understanding of the traditional system have been included, such
as the key tangible attributes of terraces, walled settlements, sacred forests, shrines and burial
sites. The Konso Cultural Landscape still largely retains its original form and design. The
materials used for the construction of the terraces and the town walls are original and their
conservation continues following traditional practices, executed by the community members.
The terraces continue in their original arrangements, use and function (UNESCO, 2008).

The Awash valley contains one of the most important groupings of paleontological sites on
the African continent. The remains found at the site, the oldest of which date back at least 4
million years, provide evidence of human evolution which has modified our conception of the
history of humankind that fulfill Criterion (ii), Criterion (iii) and Criterion (IV) (UNESCO,
2008).The most extensive remains assigned were found in Hadar, one of the localities within
the Lower Awash Valley, but the rest of the valley is seen to have the potential to contribute
to further paleontological and historical evidence (UNESCO, 2008).The material authenticity
is explicit in the finds themselves. A management plan has not yet been established and, due
to the extreme geographical difficulties involved, no attempt has yet been made to define the
boundary of the property or its buffer zone (UNESCO Heritage Center, 2008).

Tiya standing stone fulfill Criteria I and IV (ICOMOS, 2004) and also according to UNESCO
(2008), it is among the most important of the roughly 160 archaeological sites discovered so
far in the Soddo region, south of Addis Ababa. The site contains 36 monuments, including 32
carved stelae covered with symbols, most of which are difficult to decipher. They are the
remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined.

Meskel/the finding of the True Holy Cross of Christ/ was inscribed as the 10th UNESCO
registered heritage of Ethiopia in December 2013. UNESCO has inscribed Meskel on the

11
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO selected the
Meskel festival from among the 31 heritages presented to its 8th Conference of intangible
cultural heritages (http://allafrica.com/stories/201312060344.html).
2.4. Tentatively Listed World Heritages of Ethiopia
The periodic report should list properties that have been nominated for inscription on the
World Heritage List. States Parties are encouraged to provide an analysis of the process by
which these nominations are prepared, the collaboration and co-operation with local
authorities and people, the motivation, obstacles and difficulties encountered in that process
and perceived benefits and lessons learnt (WHC, 2008). So, UNESCO demands high levels
of protection for nominated sites and requires a structured management plan or a documented
management system for each site before it will be considered for inscription on the World
Heritage List (Samir, 2013). According to U.S. National Park Service Staff Report (2007)
tentative List is a national list of natural and cultural properties that appear to meet the
eligibility criteria for nomination to the World Heritage List. While, the tentative List is the
first step in the process of identifying sites for nomination to the World Heritage List and is
the right stage for filtering out sites which do not possess the potential to go forward, as well
as highlighting the limited number of sites that do (Samir, 2013). The Sites can only be
nominated for inclusion on the World Heritage List by a national government. Once
nominated, they are rigorously evaluated by either ICOMOS (for cultural sites) or IUCN (for
natural sites) or both (for mixed sites and cultural landscapes). ICOMOS and IUCN
recommend to the World Heritage Committee whether or not a site should be inscribed on the
World Heritage List (Independent Expert Panel Report, 2011).

When used in comparative analysis on a global level, well-developed tentative Lists are not
only the first step towards inscription, but can also help with the development of an overall
understanding of cultural heritage significance within a country or region and thus have an
impact far wider than on the identification of potential World Heritage(Samir, 2013).Then,
each Member State shall submit to the World Heritage Committee, institutional body within
the UNESCO World Heritage Centre based in Paris, a “tentative list”, which is an inventory
of property forming part of the cultural and natural heritage suitable for inclusion in the
World Heritage List. This inventory shall include documentation about the location of the
property in question and its significance (Licciardi and et al., 2007).

The three key concepts need to be understood to determine whether a property is worthy of
listing as a Heritage are namely according to Historic significance, Historic integrity and
12
historic context (CPWD, 2013). The procedure for the inscription comprehends two very
competitive selections: at the national level, for the inscription in the national Tentative List,
and at the international level for the final inscription in the WHL (Cuccia and et al., 2014).

In addition to sites inscribed on the World Heritage list, Ethiopia hopes to add to this list with
at least five other sites making the tentative list of sites nominated to be included in the
UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The nominated sites include: Bale Mountains National Park,
Sofumer cave, Gedeo Mixed Cultural and Natural Landscape, Melka Kunture and Bachilt
Archaeological Site and Dirre Sheik Hussein Religious, Cultural and Historical Site
(Gathanju, 2015). While State Parties have long been encouraged by UNESCO to prepare
their tentative Lists with the participation of a wide variety of stakeholders, including site
managers, local and regional governments, local communities, NGOs and other interested
parties and partners (Samir, 2013).

Bale Mountains National Park fulfills Criteria: (vii) and (x). The Bale Mountains National
Park is universally valuable for a number of reasons, not the least of which is its spectacular
scenery. Its high mountains, sweeping valleys, dramatic escarpment and wide expanses of
forests provide visitors with a diversity of vistas unique to the Ethiopian -highlands (Ministry
of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia, 2011). The conditions of integrity require that the area
essential for maintaining the beauty of the property are included in the proposed site (MOCT,
2011). Also, this Park can be compared in global terms with the following sites: Simien
Mountains National Park, Ethiopia (1978) Natural Heritage Site, Rwenzori National Park,
Uganda (1994), Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (1981), Kenya. These heritages are
similar features with Bale Mountains National park.

Dirre Sheik Hussein Religious, Cultural and Historical Site of Ethiopia fulfill Criteria: (ii)
(iii) (iv) (vi) and it is a well preserved site under the dirrect jurisdiction of the local religious
community who consider themselves as the guardians of the ancestral cult that is strongly
associated with the founder venerated saint Sheik Nur Hussein, his families, descendants and
disciples (Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia , 2011).From aesthetic points of
values, the mosques, shrines, groups of buildings and settlement patterns of the walled
campus (http://www.World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia Wikipedia).

Sofumer cave: Natural and Cultural Heritage (Sofumer: Caves of Mystery) fulfill Criteria:
(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) and the integrity of the cave system has been sustained through cult
practices by the spiritual guardians of this sacred cave system with life time dedication; while

13
performing their religious duty and providing ecclesiastical services to the
community(Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia, 2011).There are World Heritage
Sites inscribed specifically for their Cave system and Karst land forms which we can
compare to this Sofumer cave system that we are applying for nomination. Some of the most
important world heritage sites for comparison are stated as follows (Ministry of Culture and
Tourism of Ethiopia , 2011).World Heritage Sites of caverns in limestone karst formations
Property Country inscribed Under Old Criteria, Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National
Park, Philippines 1999N (iii), (iv),Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia 2000N (I), (ii), (iii),
(iv), Carlsbad Caverns National Park, USA 1995N (i), (iii), Mammoth Cave National Park,
USA 1981N (i), (iii), (iv), Skocjan Caves, Slovenia 1986N (ii), (iii) and courts are typical of
the walled city of Harar, differing only by the size of the settlement(http://www.World
Heritage Sites in Ethiopia Wikipedia).

2.5. Challenges of Ethiopian heritages

Managing and conserving World Heritage in the face of development pressures in the Africa
need to be urgently addressed, at policy and operational levels also risk preparedness also
becomes increasingly important as climate change poses new challenges for conservation and
management of the properties (UNESCO, 2011).

In any work of maintenance, conservation, restoration or reconstruction of a historic garden,

or of any part of it, all its constituent features must be dealt with simultaneously. To isolate
the various operations would damage the unity of the whole (ICOMOS, 1998). Many African
countries do not have mechanisms for the classification or safeguarding of their heritage, very
few are aware of the World Heritage Convention. We can legitimately talk here of a „split‟
which, as is the case for other sectors of the economy and society, puts Africa at risk of being
marginalized (UNESCO, 2006). The concepts restoration and conservation, destruction and
decay, and consumption, looting and loss, which all relate to and are dependent / depend on
conservationism, restoration and conservation are tools for keeping heritage from destructive
influences (Karlström, 2010). But, Conservation professionals are faced with two particular
challenges arising out of these social and political contexts: challenges of power sharing and
challenges of collaboration (Torre, 2002). Heritage protection is often not given sufficient
resources when compared to other endeavors such as defense and health. Because of resource
scarcity, antiquities departments are understaffed, and most of the staff are inexperienced.
This lack of resources compromises on delivery (Chirikure, 2013). Due to these activities it
has primary man-made threats to global heritage in the developing world they are,
14
Development Pressures, Unsustainable Tourism, Insufficient Management, Looting and War
and Conflict (Alto, 2010). Many protected areas in Ethiopia are threatened due to ever
increasing of population, habitat loss and degradation. Land use changes through agriculture,
rural and urban development activities have led to the decline and alteration of wild areas,
resulting in the extinction to wildlife species and natural areas which serve as their habitat
(Amare, 2015). In addition, conflicts over natural resources between the communities living
adjacent to protected area and tourism development have increased in recent years because of
changes in land use and accompanying new ideas about wildlife resource management and
utilization (Amare, 2015).

Currently, these protected areas are highly threatened by anthropogenic effects and Human-
wildlife conflict is a major concern of most people living next to protected areas in
developing countries due to their subsistent live (Amare, 2015). Fiscal constraints and public
sector inefficiencies continue to impact adversely on the rollout of physical infrastructure and
its continuous maintenance in most African countries and poor transportation and logistics
infrastructure, including national and secondary roads, as well as airports and other entry
points, make touring arduous (Department of Research and Information, 2012). In addition, it
has physical infrastructure is an important factor in a tourism industry. The roads are
convenient for the tourism industry but, in the perspective of developing potential attractions
road construction is needed, because, most of the attractions are off road and inaccessible
during raining season (Kauffmann, 2008). One of the greatest challenges plaguing the
hospitality industry in Africa is the shortage of suitably qualified and experienced workers
across a wide spectrum of profession (Department of Research and Information, 2012). the
cultural heritage and the natural heritage are increasingly threatened with destruction not only
by the traditional causes of decay, but also by changing social and economic conditions
which aggravate the situation with even more formidable phenomena of damage or
destruction (Cleere, 2011). Also, deterioration or disappearance of any item of the cultural or
natural heritage constitutes a harmful impoverishment of the heritage of all the nations of the
world (Cleere, 2011). Furthermore, protection of heritage at the national level often remains
incomplete because of the scale of the resources which it requires and of the insufficient
economic, scientific, and technological resources of the country where the property to be
protected is situated (Cleere, 2011). Facing conservation and management challenges, and
consequently, some of them have been put on the List of World Heritage in Danger (Kiriama,
2014).

15
2.6 Conceptual Frame Work of the Study

Heritages

Problem Solution
s s

External Challenges Interna

l
Tentative
list Permanentl
y
UNESCO Registered

Figure 1: Conceptual frame work (Source: researchers own compilation, 2017)

16
 CHAPTER THREE

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Description of the Study Area

Bale Zone is a prominent area to develop tourism sectors. The Zone is located south eastern
part of Oromia Regional State in Ethiopia at distance of 430 km from Addis Abeba.
Geographically, the Zone is located between 30 18’ 46’’ -100 09’ 04’’ N and 30 18’ 03’’ -
430 04’ 24’’ E and it is found within altitude ranges of 300 m measured at Riytu and 4377 m,
above sea level measured at Tulu-Dimtu which is the highest mountain peak in Ethiopia next
to Ras Dashen (Aynalem et al, 2015).
This study was focus on three areas of Bale Zone. The first is Sofumer Cave which is the
longest cave in Ethiopia measuring about 15 km in length. It is also said to be the longest
cave system in Africa. The cave is situated in the eastern part of Robe within the Oromia
Region (Gathanju, 2015). The second is Dirre Sheik Hussein shrine which is located in the
south eastern part of Ethiopia. It is a 10th century Islamic Centre of pilgrimage for people
coming from different corners of the country, and Islamic communities of the Horn and the
Middle East countries, twice a year. Dirre Sheik Hussein is a site of magnificent groups of
buildings, monumental tombs and courts representing early medieval period of Islamic
architecture and buildings of significant engineering qualities (Dirres, 2015). The third is
BMNP which is a home of diversified endemic and common fauna and flora species.

17
 Figure 2: Map of the Study Area (Source: General Management Plan, 2007)
3.2 Research Design
This study used descriptive research design. This is to describe the current status and existing
problems for tentative world heritages of Bale zone for not being registered permanently by
UNESCO. This study used qualitative data gathering approach. This is due to gathered of
information by using FGD, interview and personal observation.

3.3 Subjects of the Study

The subjects of the study were government officials, tourism experts at different levels, local
community elders, religious leaders, Kebele and Woreda administrators and UNESCO
representative office experts.

3.4 Sampling Technique and sample size determination

All samples selected from subjects purposively based on their experience, participation and
profession in tourism related issues. A total of 55 individuals were selected purposively as
interviewees. So there were 55 Interviewees and selected purposively based on their
participation (24 elders and religious leaders in the four woredas 3 from each), 1 head and 2
professionals from Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia/main office, 1 head and 3
professionals from Oromia Region Culture and Tourism Bureau, 4 Woreda administrators
and 5 Kebele leaders, from UNESCO branch (1 head 2 experts) , from Each 4 Woreda culture
&Tourism office 1 head and 1 expert and finally 1 head and 3 experts from Bale Zone
culture and tourism office.
3.5 Source of data
The researchers used different primary source of information such as key informant
interview, focuses group discussion and field observation. Secondary source of information
gathered from different a reliable source which includes websites, magazines, conventions,
proclamations, regulations, pamphlets, manuals, bulletins, newspapers, reports and internet
materials.

18
3.6. Data Gathering Instruments
A. Field Observation
The researcher used structured observation checklists, systematic and selective observation
about current status and problems of heritages in Bale Zone were done in the tourist
destinations that need for not being registered.

B. Semi-structured in-depth Interview

A total of 55 individuals were selected purposively as interviewees. In depth interview were

carried out by using semi-structured manner for selected participants based on their
profession and experience on community and religious affairs.

C. Focused Group Discussion

There were 4 FGD (Bale zone 10 experts, Dinsho 7 experts ,Golelcha 8 and Dawe quchan 8
experts ) were participated that were selected purposively.

3.7 Data Gathering Procedures

First, the researchers were prepared guidelines for interviews, FGD and personal observation
and then was undertaken by the researchers themselves and assigned data collectors.

3.8 Data Analysis technique

Qualitative data was gathered through FGD, interview and researchers’ personal observation
and, this data was analyzed through narration and quotation and presented thematically.

3.9 Ethical Consideration

Ethical clearance was obtained from Research, Community Engagement, and Technology
Transfer Vice President of Madda Walabu University, and permission letters collected from
relevant government offices. While undertaking interview and focus group discussion, the
full consent of the persons being selected for interview and FGD were first asked kindly to
obtain their willingness. The objective of the study was also told in brief. Every participant
was informed that the aim of the study is not to charge anybody rather it is to collect pertinent
information about the issue under investigation and be informed about the confidentiality of
the information they gave by telling them it were kept secretly, and they can access the final
report of the work.

19
The research gave high consideration for gender, environment, economic, and socio-cultural
issues.

CHAPTER FOUR
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Bale Mountains National Park

The Bale Mountains National park, located within the Regional State of Oromia in south-
eastern part of Ethiopia. It is the most important conservation area in the Ethiopian highlands
and has very high international significance. 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 (Temesgen, 2015). The Bale Mountains National park is part of the Eastern
Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, which is one of the 34 Conservation International
Biodiversity Hotspots and qualifies for World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve Listing.
The Bale Mountains encompass the largest Afro alpine area in Africa. However, the Bale
mountains National park is one of the heritages registered by UNESCO as tentative list but
not registered permanently. This is due to different problems the park is faced. According to
UNESCO operational guideline (2008) in the case of natural properties ascertained as danger
when they faced with specific and proven imminent danger, such as: i) A serious decline in
the population of the endangered species or the other species of outstanding universal value
for which the property was legally established to protect, either by natural factors such as
disease or by man-made factors such as poaching, ii) Severe deterioration of the natural
beauty or scientific value of the property, as by human settlement, construction of reservoirs
which flood important parts of the property, industrial and agricultural development including
use of pesticides and fertilizers, major public works, mining, pollution, logging, firewood
collection, iii) Human encroachment on boundaries or in upstream areas which threaten the
integrity of the property.

20
4.1.1 Problems of Bale Mountains National Park
4.1.1.1 Human Settlement in the park
According to researchers’ personal observation, there is human settlement in the core areas of
the park particularly in rira Kebele. Moreover, according to community expert at BMNP, the
human settlement in the park is very challenging and intense in 3 kebeles namely rira, Cheffa
and harenna gora, and there is high population growth in the aforementioned kebeles of the
park.
Moreover, according to the park warden, there was community settlement when the park
established in 1962 in three kebeles namely Rira kebele in goba woreda,chefa rira kebele in
Dello mena woreda, Harenna gora kebele in Adaba woreda and these kebeles have basic
infrastructure facilities such as schools, health care stations and the kebeles have recognition
from government and budget also allocated for these kebeles.
In addition, to the permanent settlers in aforementioned kebeles, there is also temporal
settlement of nomads/godantu system according to interview with experts of BMNP.

Figure 3: Illegal Settlement in Rira Area (Source: Photo by the researchers, 2017)
Furthermore, Temesgen (2015) stated that the Human population in BMNP is increasing
almost linearly and as a result of this growth, existing settlements are growing, and new
settlements are appearing in previously unsettled and environmentally sensitive areas.
4.1.1.2 Over Grazing
According to an interview with community expert at BMNP, there is intensive grazing in
Bale mountains national park including senatti and Someone who come to see Ethiopian wolf
will visit the herd of sheep grazing in the park. Furthermore, the researchers have seen plenty
of cattles, sheeps, horses and other domestic animals both in sanette and dinsho sites of Bale
Mountains National park. According to BMNP Experts, the number of cattle in the park is
estimated to be between 700,000-800,000 and if the number of cattle reaches 1,000,000
Ethiopian wolf may vanish. Afro alpine and harenna forest are areas where large numbers of
cattle are found. Moreover, there is extensive temporal and seasonal livestock grazing
(Shamil, 2017).

21
Figure 4: Over Grazing in Sanetti and its surroundings (Source: Photo by Reseachers, 2017 &
shemil, 2017)

4.1.1.3 Lack of effective benefit sharing mechanism with the local people
The benefit that the local community obtains from the park is very insignificant. According to
experts from BMNP, though the management plan states about 40% of the revenue will be
used by local community, it is not practical due to the country’s finance system. Furthermore,
the expert added that there are five (5) associations which are not representative to the larger
population who are expecting benefit from the park, and even the revenue obtained from
penalty for grazing of the park goes to federal government of Ethiopia.
4.1.1.4 Not Gazzeted As A National Park Until 2014
The park was registered as the tentative world heritage site in 2008. However, the park was
not gazzeted as a national park which retarded the process of registering the site as permanent
world heritage site.
According to interview with expert at BMNP, the park was considered as park though it was
not gazzated as a park by federal Negarit gazette ,and the expert added the park was not
officially gazetted until 2006 though it was established in 1962.

4.1.1.5 Uncontrolled Wild Fire

Fire has become one of the greatest challenges for BMNP. For instance, according to experts
from the park, more than 100 hectares of Erica forest was destroyed due to human induced fire in
March 2015, and during the fire accident, Biniyam Admasu, a conservation hero and a tourism
expert for the park, died due to the fire accident while he was battling to extinguish the fire.
According to BMNP warden, a fire incident which occurred in March 2007 E.C destroyed huge
amount of natural resources and the fire incident occurs in the park every three years.
Moreover, according to Anteneh and Temesgen (2009), there are recurrent fires in the Bale
mountains massif, and the most severe was the forest fire that occurred between February and
April 2000 which destroyed more than 90,000 ha of the country’s moist evergreen forest in
the Bale Zone alone. The Erica shrub fires have probably been set by people for over 5,000
years in the belief that fire stimulates the growth of new grass for cattle grazing (Miehe,
1994).

Figure 5: Biniyam Memorial and Wild Fire (Source: Left Photo by researchers, 2017 and the
right by Anteneh and Temesgen, 2009)

22
4.1.1.6 Agricultural expansion and Deforestation

There is also the practice of clearing forests for the purpose of expanding land for coffee
plantation particularly in harrenna forest site of BMNP. According to interviewees from dello
mena wereda, there are deforestation activities performed to clear forest other than coffee for
the purpose perceiving that will increase coffee production. In addition according to field
observation by researchers, there is also fire wood collection activities inside the park
especially in harrenna forest.

Figure 6: Deforestation and fire wood Collection (Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)

Temesgen (2015) stated that land has been cleared mainly for wheat, barley and garlic
production. Moreover, about 10,000 ha land area inside BMNP is used for agriculture (ETFF,
2007) cited in Temesgen (2015). Recently, agricultural expansion extends at 3,300 m asl on
the afroalpine grasslands (Vial, 2010).

4.1.1.7 Disease transmission from domestic dog to Ethiopian wolf.

According to interview with BMNP warden, there are two diseases: Rabies and CDV which
are become a threat to Ethiopian wolf one of the endemic mammal in BMNP. The park
warden stated that the park has lost more than 100 Ethiopian wolves in 2008 E.C. this is due
to the presence of many dogs inside the park that are wandering everywhere. The dog
displayed below was taken by the researcher at the main road which passes through the park
between Goba and Delo mena towns.

Figure 7: Dog at Sanetti and dead Ethiopian Wolf (Source: Left by Researchers, 2017 and
Right from Shemil, 2017)

4.1.1.8 Illegal excavation to establish better road inside the park

Even though stopped currently, there were sites in which excavations were conducted for the
purpose of providing better rock-strewn road inside the park since the is road stretched from
town of Goba to town of Dello mena. According to UNESCO Operational guide line (2008)
one of the Criteria for the assessment of outstanding universal value is to contain superlative
natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance and in the
case of natural properties: it ascertained danger – if the property is faced with specific and
proven imminent danger, like severe deterioration of the natural beauty or scientific value of

23
the property, as by human settlement, construction of reservoirs which flood important parts
of the property, industrial and agricultural development including use of pesticides and
fertilizers, major public works, mining, pollution, logging, firewood collection, etc. So the
above mentioned activities are in contradiction with UNESCO operation guidelines because
the activities may reduce the natural beauty of Bale Mountains National Park which is
expected to fulfill this criterion.
In addition, According to discussants, in the future it is expected that the community will
provide request more infrastructure and facilities including asphalted road from the town of
Goba to town of Dello mena. In such situation, the community inside and around the park
will participate in more commercial elements after construction of asphalted road rather than
participate on more of conservation issues.

Figure 8: Excavated area from Sanetti (Left) and (right) Road improvement in Harenna
Forest (Source, Photo by Researchers, 2017)

4.1.1.9 Weak stakeholders’ collaboration

According to information obtained from interview and FGD, there is weak collaboration
among stakeholders to register Bale Mountains National park by UNESCO permanently. The
discussants from Ethiopian wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) argue that EWCA’s
responsibility is to conserve the heritages under its supervision but not to register in
UNESCO. In addition there is no organized string committee to register heritages in
UNESCO rather some experts were assigned to prepare nomination file without having
further qualification in the field. There were also committee members once in preparation of
nomination file but not able to continue by unknown reason. Furthermore, the linkage
between Oromia Region Culture and Tourism Bureau and Authority for Research and
Conservation of Cultural Heritages is loosely organized.

4.1.1.10 Lack of skilled manpower

According to interview, FGD, and researchers’ observation, lack of skilled manpower is one
of the major problems of the destinations in the study area. As information obtained from
Bale zone Culture and Tourism Office, there are 200 employees in different Culture and
tourism woreda offices including bale zone. From these employees, 6 (3%) are tourism
graduates, 10 (5%) are Eco-tourism and bio diversity conservation graduates, 31 (15.5%) are
language and literature graduates, 13 (6.5%) are history and heritage management graduates,
2 (1%) are anthropology graduate and the remaining 138 (69%) are graduates of different

24
fields: Management, Economics, HRM, Geography, Accounting, ICT, Marketing
management, Statistics, EDPM, Sociology, Law, Civics, Psychology and Biology. The above
information shows that the participation of tourism professionals in the sector is very limited
which accounts 6 (3%). In addition, a draft nomination file was prepared for BMNP by
Ethiopian experts who attended a training which was given on November 2015 for eight
African Countries through the world Heritage center By African State party’s committee
which was hosted by Ministry Culture and tourism of Ethiopia through Authority for
Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages (ARCCH) in Addis Ababa (Kassaye, 2017).
This also shows that there is no professional string committee organized to prepare
nomination file for heritages to be registered by UNESCO. Rather there is seasonal
committee members established to accomplish some tasks in short period of time.
Furthermore, the offices are not interested to employ tourism and culture professionals
though there are relatively adequate professional graduates from Universities. In such cases,
Preservation action was done by none professionals and without full involvement of local
people (Sintayehu, ND) and There are no skilled man power on the issues of tourism and its
development and governance as well as how to make business out of tourism (Zemene and
Biruk, 2015). This types of problems create interpretation difficulties, each guide interpret his
own interest because lack of skilled man power or lack of tourism professionals in different
destinations.
4.1.2 Current status of the Bale Mountains National Park

A draft nomination file was prepared for BMNP by Ethiopian experts who attended a training
which was given on November 2015 for eight African Countries through the world Heritage
center By African State party’s committee which was hosted by Ministry Culture and tourism
of Ethiopia through Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages
(ARCCH) in Addis Ababa. Bale mountains national park is registered under UNESCO
tentative list of world heritage sites in 2008. According to discussants from EWCA,
technical persons were sent from UNESCO to assess the situation on ground and advise on
the requirement needed to meet the registration procedures in 2013 and the Feed backs given
from UNESCO to register BMNP as permanent UNESCO world heritage site are (1) To
legalize the park (2) To prepare the General management plan (3) To prepare and send the
Nomination dossier. In addition, Taruvinga and Mwamulowe (2015) provide feedback to
state party at Addis Ababa regarding Bale Mountains National Park as (1) to exclude the
Criterion (vii), (2) to use criterion (ix) and (X) (3) to use standardize mapping (4) Registering

25
BMNP under Serial of SMNP, (5) to solve the core area problems and management (Rira
village) and (6) to create and develop buffer zone /Buffering mechanism. According to the
interview, FGD and researchers’ personal observation some feedbacks were get solution in
different period by concerned stakeholders. According to state party response and discussants
to exclude Criterion (vii) Superlative natural phenomena: can often be objectively measured
and assessed (e.g. deepest canyon), exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance must
be supported by clear evidence and rigorous intellectual analysis. In relation to standardized
mapping and buffering mechanism, the state party accepted the issue and it is on progress to
accomplish all the appropriate tasks. The park is legalized on 2nd February 2015 and the New
General Management plan (GMP) is evaluated and approved by concerned stakeholders in
Bishoftu on March, 2017. With respect to Serial registration, the discussants strongly argued
against the issue and said that “Serial issue is complicated and need higher officials
decision”. They also state that “it is difficult to register heritage which has different features
and under heritage which is registered by UNESCO as endangered list”. This issue is also
supported by Engels (2009) define serial World Heritage properties as “properties with two
or more distinct, geographically separated areas that together are included on the World
Heritage List” and serial properties may have negative impacts on the credibility of the World
Heritage list and noted that the requested overall management framework is a critical element
for credibility. As of Tentative List Independent Expert Advisory Group (2008) serial
nominations are not easy options but pose great challenges both in the preparation of the
nominations and in their on-going management. In addition, discussants explained that Bale
Mountains National park and Simien Mountains National Park have different characteristics:
For example, the culture of Bale mountain national parks surrounded by semi pastoralist
(Gadantu system) whereas the Simien ones are Agrarians; 40% of all medicinal plants in
Ethiopia are found in the Bale Mountains with estimated income 15,458,078 birr/year;
protection, conservation and management can be more complex because different
mechanisms may apply to the different discrete components even though they are within the
same country; Bale Mountain’s Harenna forest is particularly important, as it is the only place
within this eco-region where examples of intact vegetation types can still be found.
Finally, Taruvinga and Mwamulowe (2015) state that the potentiality for inscription of Bale
Mountains National Park by UNESCO is “High” and recommends “State Party needs to
redefine the OUV with the assistance of a mentor, develop an integrated management and
address the issue of communities with possible date of Submission as 2-3 years (2017-
2018).” Based on the interview, FGD and the researchers’ Personal observation, Bale
26
Mountains National Park has diversified tourism resources with outstanding universal values
which can be a huge potential to be registered permanently by UNESCO.

4.2 Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine

Dirre sheik Hussein shrine found 180 km from Robe Town and 618 km from Addis Ababa.
Among the neo-traditional religious practices in Arsi land, the most persistent seem to be the
veneration of saints and the continuation of the cult of saints particularly that of Sheikh
Hussein suggests that the history of Islam among the Arsi is more or less the history of saints
(Hussein, 2005). As obtained from interview, the Shrine was named when the ancient Muslim
holy religion leader known as Sheik Nur Hussein and had five children (four Male and one
female) namely Mohamed, Nural, Abdilahi, Suleman and Fatuma. This heritage is
combination of different activities and it has 11 building in and around the site. It covers
90km2 and registered as Tentative World Heritage in 2011.

As the researchers’ observation, the attraction of this Shrine comprises different components
which is includes mosques, shrines, stone-walled fences, tombs, water ponds/Hora Luku,
festive and ceremonial courtyards (Muda). There are 11 buildings in and around the sacred
zone which have historical, aesthetical, religious and architectural significance for the site
(Sintayehu and Et al, 2014). The sanctuary of Sheikh Hussein Comprises different
components that include mosques, shrines, stone-walled fences, tombs, water ponds, festive
and ceremonial yards natural forests/landscapes and a historically associated human
settlement (Sintayehu, ND). There are 11 buildings in and around the sacred zone which are
historically, aesthetically, religiously and architecturally important. Many of the historical
buildings are located in the walled compound of the shrine Sintayehu, ND). The sacred site of
Dirre Sheikh Hussein is large area of about 90km2. The beautiful scenery of the Valley of
Wabi Shebele River is part of the landscape of the sanctuary Sintayehu, ND). Additionally,
Pilgrimage journey to the Dirre made twice a year by thousands of people from all over the
corridors of Ethiopia.

Figure 9: Maps, Sign board and Explanations around Dirre (Source: Photo by Researchers,
2017)

Figure 10: Different views of Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine (Source: Photo by Researchers,
2017)

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4.2.1. Problems of Dirre sheik Hussein shrine
Any work of maintenance, conservation, restoration or reconstruction of a historic garden or
of any part of the heritage. But In this destination there are different natural and manmade
problems faced, which is include tourism infrastructures, Water, Wall damage, weak of
conservation and Electricity, protections, confusion about Core and buffer zone, financial
problems, unclearly of Map, security guard, Network, professional Local guide and
Interpretation are major problems in this destination . In addition to the above problems,
based on the data generated from in depth interviews, FGD and field observation, The
scholars supported in this way,, the major challenges of developing tourism sector in Bale
Zone are: poor tourism infrastructural development, less community awareness, poor co-
ordination effort of stakeholders different level, incapability of financial and human
Resources (Aynalem et al., 2015).

4.2.1.1 Tourism infrastructures

As information obtained from FGD, Road and Transportation related problems are the great
problems of the destination due to unable to get attention by concerned stakeholder and this is
proved by the researchers during the time of data collection for this research. The severity
clearly observed when traveling to the area via different transit points especially from Robe
to Goro, Goro to Ginnir, Ginnir to Delo Sebro, Delo Sebro to Jara, Jara to Dirre Sheik
Hussein shrine. Due to the problems related with lack of comfortable road facility, from Robe
to Dirre Sheik Hussein, regular transport is not available. Even in the context of Ethiopia
such problems are common to different destinations in the country. In Ethiopia hard
infrastructure bottlenecks include low road density and related high transport costs, non-
competitive domestic air transport, and limited lodging capacity especially in the regions and
Soft infrastructure bottlenecks include limited availability of payment systems (ATM, e-
commerce). Innovative partnerships with the private sector can help to improve
competitiveness related to air transport and lodging capacity as inspiring experiences in Latin
America and Africa demonstrates (Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 2012).These
problems are in contradiction with provision of tourism infrastructure at international levels
and standards. According to UNWTO (2007), destination contains a number of basic
elements which attract visitor to the destination and which satisfy their needs on arrival.
Among them one basic element is amenities which include the wide range of services and
facilities, infrastructure such as utilities, public transport, and roads as well as direct services
for the visitor such as accommodation, visitor information, recreational facilities, guides,

28
operators and catering and shopping facilities. The industry will not be able to function
without transport infrastructure, such as an appropriate and operational transportation
network. (E.g. public transport, roads, airports) as well as tourism infrastructure which is
including telecommunications, water, electricity, recreation and access to communication
channels.
But, as interviewees, FGD, and researchers’ observation, the infrastructure and facilities
mainly road, transport, network, electricity, hotel and lodge issues are the major problems
prevalent in this destination.

Figure 11: Problems related to road and Dirre town Accommodation (Source: Photo by
researchers, 2017)

4.2.1.2 Shortage of Water

Water is the great problem of this destination. According to Sintayehu (ND) Lack and
shortage of potable water and dry latrines are major problems and requires urgent attention in
order to prevent communicable diseases during the pilgrimage time. According to UNWTO
(2007) where safe drinking water cannot be provided through the destination’s infrastructure,
drinkable bottled water should accessible for visitors.
The interview and FGD shows that, local community gets pure water during muda ceremony
and is called Bishan Muda) in which 12 barrel of Water provided from Jara, 52km faraway
from dirre sheik Hussien, twice per year at celebrating Muda holiday. Even, this water creates
division of idea for local community; one side said, “This water is not for us rather for invited
governmental bodies because pure water provision stopped immediately after the leaving of
the invited guests and government officials in the destination. So, how could be for us?” In
the other side, some argue that, “whatever the case, it is provided for us not for invited
government bodies.” On the other hand, as shown in the figure below, the pond water is
spiritual water which is called haro luku which was constructed by Sheikh Hussein and his
students more than 900 years ago and local community used as for spiritual and common
drinking purpose.

Figure 12: Dirre Sheik Hussein Pond Water (Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)

4.2.1.3 Conservation and protections

According to information obtained from interview and FGD, in Dirre Sheik Hussein shrine,
untrained local communities who try to maintain the buildings unprofessionally reduce the
29
value of the heritage and its conservation aspects. According to interviewees, “there are not
well-organized and constant actions being taken to protect, conserve and manage the
attractions in the destination”. FGD shows that, the heritages are not given great attention to
protect and conserve in appropriate manner, due to that most heritages are destructed and
deteriorated. For example, when the heritages are damaged by natural and man-made
deteriorating factors, there is no responsible body to give immediate solution. The heritages
in the area does not have clearly assigned security guard rather they believe every community
member have the responsibility to protect and conserve the heritages, but goats and cows are
interred to the compound without any difficulty that can cause the heritage to be destructed.
According to the interviewees, the main problem to conserve and protect the heritages is lack
of finance. In addition, some discussants expressed the issue of finance in relation to
conservation of our heritages as “Conservation without finance is conversation”. This implies
that the availability of finance can play key role to protect and conserve the heritages. Even
the local practices to conserve the heritages are unprofessionally without keeping the
authenticity of the heritages. Furthermore, different experts and scholars write about these
issues such as (Sintayehu, ND) that state “the construction of a concrete and cement screed
floor in this old building is inappropriate from conservation point of view because it destroys
the authenticity of the heritage, and in the long run, cement will damage the integrity of the
buildings” and According to Somuncu (2010) Available financial funds for conservation and
development of heritages are not sufficient for all areas. Each year specific amount of funds
is allocated by the state for development of destinations. However, allocated funds are
inadequate to meet the needs of destinations compared to their importance.

Figure 13: Heritages in Destruction and Deterioration (Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)

4.2.1.4 Lack of Collaboration among stakeholders

The horizontal and wide-reaching nature of tourism requires unity and collaboration from all
stakeholders in order to face the global challenges of the 21 st century most effectively and
build a more sustainable and competitive sector. UNWTO seeks to facilitate cooperation
between tourism players and encourage the exchange of best practice and innovation. In this
process, UNWTO works in constant collaboration with a series of entities from the private
and public sectors on assistance development programs, awareness raising initiatives and
tourism research (UNWTO, 2010).

30
The interview, FGD and researchers’ observation shows that, there is Absence of strong bond
between stakeholders more specifically authority for research and conservation of cultural
heritage and Oromia region culture and tourism bureau. The main problem between them is
miscommunication in relation to the registration process of the Dirre sheik Hussien by
UNESCO. Because as information obtained from interview, Oromia region culture and
tourism bureau stated that there is delay of the registration process due to lack of emphasis of
ARCCH. Moreover different stakeholders try to achieve their goals as they intended to be
achieved. In addition, the heritages were losing owners who protect and conserve in
appropriate manner and mostly heritages were destructing and deteriorating; for example,
when Wall collapsed by rain, there is lack of emphasis to take immediate response.
As interviewees, there is problem in relation to demarcating the site as core zone and buffer
zone but According to world heritage center (2008), the boundaries of the property being
proposed shall be clearly defined, unambiguously distinguishing between the nominated
property and any buffer zone.
Maps shall be sufficiently detailed to determine precisely which area of land and/or water is
nominated. Officially up-to-date published topographic maps of the State Party annotated to
show the property boundaries shall be provided if available. A nomination shall be
considered "incomplete" if it does not include clearly defined boundaries. . According to
Oromia culture and tourism bureau, The entire boundary of the site is clearly demarcated with
the participation of local people and local government authorities and the site as a whole
covers an area of 94 km2, and the topographic map of the site is prepared and approved by
the concerned government authority but Primary secondary data are opposed for this bureau
idea.
On the, interview, FGD, and researchers’ observation shows that, preparation of the map
which not clearly express the heritage including core and buffer zone as well the boundary
demarcation. Even, some situation, there are to different maps in ambition and reality. The
area on the map will not be found on the real environment because of the difference between
actual /reality and expectation and there is also technical incompetence of the workers or
assigned staff about the heritage. In this case, they try to provide an assumption with full
confidence which is different from reality. This inkling buttressed in this way, this destination
does not indicate the core zone, boundaries do not appear, the core zone is outside the
boundary of the site, and also there are no values and intervals for contours, and the buildings
do not appear (workshop report, 2015). On the researchers’ observation shows that, the case
of above problems, from local community and local tour guides it creates confused about
31
core and buffer zone of site including map. Because all concerned bodies working each other
and they didn’t give awareness about core and buffer zone and map for site and this weak
communication is federal to local level coordination about at all purpose.

4.2.1.5. Benefits of Local community

According to information obtained from interview, FGD, and researchers’ observation, the
community wants to benefit from tourism resources they have but there are some attitudinal
problems from the side of the community. In some areas even not allowed putting sign board
about the heritage sites. Also those local communities are not benefited from this heritage due
to different factors. Because of this, the local communities are living with different problems
(Lack of infrastructure, pure water, toilet, health care facilities). According to (Zemene and
Biruk, 2015) Local communities are claiming to get benefit from tourism revenue, they are
against of the issues of ownership of attractions, disinterested on the outflow of revenue to
bale zone culture and tourism office, blaming that only few individuals are unfairly
scrambling the benefits from tourism.

4.2.1.6 Skilled man power

It is a key tool of tourism development. it show in the interview, FGD, and researchers’
observation that, lack of skilled man power in the site of destination is another challenge to
establish and maintain good destination governance. Employees in the Golelcha Woreda as
well as in the destination itself are not professionals. The offices are not interested to employ
tourism and culture professionals though there are relatively adequate professional graduated
from Universities and they have no sufficient knowledge and skills in conserving and guiding
the heritages. This types of problems creates each guide interprets his own interest because
lack of skilled man power or lack of tourism professionals in the destination.

Figure 14: Profile of Employees in Golelcha Wereda Culture and Tourism Office
(Source: Photo by Researchers, 2017)

4.2.1.7 Comparative analysis

Comparative analysis is very important tools for heritage to register as world heritage list
because may it found other the some heritage and it helps differentiation from others
heritages. According to world heritage center (2008), a comparative analysis of the property
in relation to similar properties, whether or not on the World Heritage List, both at the
national and international levels, shall also be provided. The comparative analysis shall

32
explain the importance of the nominated property in its national and international context.
When used in comparative analyses on a global level, well-developed Tentative Lists are not
only the first step towards inscription, but can also help with the development of an overall
understanding of cultural heritage significance within a country or region and thus have an
impact far wider than on the identification of potential World Heritage(Ghabbour,2010). But
as interview and FGD, participants said that “no clearly justified comparative analysis made
about the heritage because we didn’t get exposures or evidences about the heritages to be
compared with”. According to an expert (2015), the Government didn’t clearly define and not
establish the OUV and the criteria for the sites are not based on a comparative analysis of
similar sites in detailed manner. Current argument illustrates local values which may be
difficult to sustain for World Heritage purposes. The Ethiopian government not considers an
Integrated Management Plan, which is including Conservation, Tourism and Education
elements for the site. The Ethiopian government not proposed that a new nomination dossier
needs to be developed, but requested for assistance with getting political buy in at national
level.

4.2.2. Current Status of Dirre Sheik Hussien Shrine

According to the information obtained from interview, FGD and document analysis, there are
draft General management plan and drafted nomination files that are used the heritage to be
registered permanently. But there is limitation in relation to General management plan and
nomination file preparation. An interviewee in ARCCH state that “there is problem in
relation to training and development of skilled man power in relation to nomination file
preparation because there was even out dated format used to prepare nomination file to the
tentative listed heritages”. Another interviewee also added that “there is ambition and reality
in the registration process because what the reality on the ground and what we want to be as
an ambition or interest are different” and he further explained “in UNESCO clearly justified
document based on the concrete evidence is registered not the physical heritage itself”. This
implies that there is limitation in justification of the heritage to meet the criteria due to lack of
skilled man power, emphasis and adequate finance. According to Taruvinga and
Mwamulowe (2015) State Party should clearly define and establish the OUV and the criteria
for the site based on a comparative analysis of similar sites and it was not really clear what
the OUV of this site was in comparison with similar religious sites already on the World
Heritage list. This clearly shows the problems related to skilled professionals who provide
clear justification about the heritage. Discussants explained that there are no experience share

33
and visitation exposures for experts to prepare comparative analysis. In addition, different
comments were provided related to the prepared map as “at some point the core zone is
outside the boundary of the site”.
Finally, even though Taruvinga and Mwamulowe (2015) state that “the potentiality of Dirre
sheik Hussien shrine for permanent inscription is low”, and advise State Parties to consider
refining their national tentative lists to avoid investing resources into sites that do not have the
potential of being inscribed, the researchers argued that if comprehensive elements of Dirre
sheik Hussien shrine are explained in detailed and professional manner, the potentiality of the
heritage to be inscribed by UNESCO is “high”.

4.3. Sofumer cave

Sofumer cave one of the most spectacular extensive underground caverns in the world.
Formed by Weib River as it changed its courses in the distant past and carved a new channel
through limestone hills, the Sofumer cave is an extraordinary natural phenomenon of the
breathtaking beauty. The cave represents a maze of dry cave passages which subsequently
were crossed by a subterranean water course formed by the Weib River, forming combined
underground passages of a total length of 15.1 km.

4.3.1 Problems of Sofumer cave

The cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable assets, not only of
each nation, but of humanity as a whole. The loss, through deterioration or disappearance, of
any of these most prized assets constitutes an impoverishment of the heritage of all the
peoples of the world. Parts of that heritage, because of their exceptional qualities, can be
considered to be of “outstanding universal value” and as such worthy of special protection
against the dangers which increasingly threaten them (UNESCO operational guideline, 2008)

4.3.1.1 Problems related to Roads

As information obtained from interviewees, focus group discussion and researchers’
observation road is serious problem to visit Sofumer cave. The road is uncomfortable and the
challenge in relation to the road to Sofumer cave is very difficult more specifically at rainy
season. Related with this issue, students coming from different universities in Ethiopia cancel
their educational trip to Sofumer cave in different periods. The tourists who dare to visit the
site suffer a lot as result of the problem related with road especially at summer season.

Figure 15: main road to Sofumer cave (Source: Photo by researchers, 2017)

34
4.3.1.2 Collaboration
Tourist destination stakeholders are the basic cell of the collaboration process in tourist
destinations. The interaction of stakeholders supports the shift to a strategic planning based in
stakeholder theory and collaboration. Tourist destination stakeholders include national-
regional-local authorities, economic development agencies, attractions and cultural
organizations, transport providers, accommodation providers, intermediates (tour operators),
competitors, media, local business, educational institutions, social agencies, convention
centers, and visitors (UNWTO, 2007). According to information obtained from interview and
researchers’ experience there is lack of stakeholders collaboration in the management aspect
of sofumer cave. There was continuous disagreement between some individuals in the
community and bale zone culture and tourism office. In addition, there is domination of some
individuals in the community in the aspect of benefit sharing and participation in different
issues of the destination. Due to such unfair benefit sharing and participation, the
communities develop varied types of attitudes and perceptions in the destination. According
to bruk and Zemene (2015) Local communities always believe that the money is exploited
and used inappropriately by the zonal culture and tourism office. This is due to absence of
collaboration between concerned stakeholders and proper administrative system to the
destination. Because when there is strong link between different types of stakeholders in the
destination, confusions and misunderstandings will be minimized as they discuss their
problems clearly and continuously. As information obtained in the interview the community
of Sofumer cave claim ownership of the cave and as part of their life. If the site is registered
by UNESCO, they belief the ownership claim and benefit they get will be lost. This is also
lack of clear understanding and collaborative administrative system of the destination. This
issue is supported by previous studies of Bruk and Zemene (2015) as it explained “They are
also hesitating about the risk of losing their ownership if resources are registered by
UNESCO.”

4.3.1.3 Profession related problems

According to the interviews there is critical problem related to the tourism professionals.
Related to human resource, Employees in the Woreda and Zonal culture and tourism offices
as well as in the destination itself are not tourism and culture professionals. The interviewees
state that there is not great emphasis given to tourism industry to the destination in the aspect
of professionalism. There is expectation of low performance and activities to the office. As a
result someone who is far from the profession of culture and tourism will be assigned as
expert in the office due to lack of understanding and lack of emphasis to the profession. But

35
According to UNESCO operational guideline (2008) States Parties are encouraged to ensure
that their professionals and specialists at all levels are adequately trained and they are
encouraged to develop national training strategies and include regional co-operation for
training as part of their strategies.

4.3.1.4 Map related Problems

According to the interviewees and different document there is problem related to the map of
Sofumer cave since it does not display the internal part of the cave system and different
sections. According to Taruvinga and Mwamulowe (2015) in Sofumer cave it was observed
that they did not follow the required format and the maps were inadequate while some
sections were considered incomplete, and others were omitted. The State Party is re-writing
the dossier using the current format while the National Mapping Agency is reviewing all the
maps. There are various challenges which include the definition of the boundaries, financial
and technical resources. The workshop recommended that a consultative workshop with the
communities be convened, and proper maps and integrated management plan be developed
for the site.

4.3.1.5 Conservation and management

According to interviewees there is road stretched from the town of Sofumer to the town of
ginir which passes over the cave system. This has impact on the cave system in the aspect of
conservation related issues. Even the town of Sofumer itself is found over the area of cave
system. The floods out of the surrounding released to the cave and it exert strong for which
crack the cave itself and damages the heritages found in the cave system. According to
information obtained from interviewees, the Weib River exerts strong force on the cave
system and its environs. E.g there was historical tree (“Jeva biqila”) which stayed inside the
cave system but currently it is disappeared due to the flood come from Weib River.

Figure 16: Road on Sofumer cave (left) and cracked inner part of the cave (right) (Source:
Photo by Researchers, 2017)

4.3.1.6 Zonation related problems

According to information obtained from interview, focus group discussion and researchers’
observation there is lack of zonation for some activities and utilization of resources in the
destination. There is no area assigned for drinking of cattle in the Weib River which is one
part of the cave system. Some argued that it is better to provide water for cattle by using
generator rather the providing them to the cave system and the fragile environment it has. If it

36
is not possible, there should be another alternative to conserve the cave system and to transfer
to the next generation. There are documents which state about core zone and buffer zone. But
they are not clearly demarcated with the participation of the community on the ground and
implemented in that manner as stated by interviewees.
There is lack of pure water to drink in Sofumer. Side by side with the cattle and camels, the
community use water for different purposes. There will be persons who wash their clothes in
the Weib River near to the cave system.

Figure 17: Human and animal interference in the core area of Sofumer
(Source: Photo by researchers, 2017)

4.3.1.7 Presence of electric power cables in the cave

According to information obtained from interviewees and proved by researcher’s field
observation, there is electric power cables which is found inside the cave system intended to
provide electric power to the cave system by using generator. It created visual pollution
rather than providing light as it was intended to the visitors who are visiting the cave system.
On the other hand, some people argue that the darkness of the cave system by itself is beauty
to the cave system. So the intention of providing light/electric power to the cave system was
wrong starting from its beginning.

Figure 18: Electric power cables in side part of the cave (Source: Photo by the researchers,
2017)

4.3.1.8 Accommodation
According to the interviewees and the researchers’ observation there is no any
accommodation that caters tourists in Sofumer. The option of the tourist is having packed
food from robe, capital of bale zone and another small town goro which is 60 km far from
robe town. Accommodation related problems are also observed even the zone’s capital robe
because once there was international workshop from 16 th - 27th of November 2015 intended
to be conducted in robe town but shifted to Addis Ababa due to lack of amenities and related
facilities. This expressed as “On the first day, participants travelled to Bale Robe, the
intended venue of the workshop. Site visits were undertaken on the second day to two of the
sites involved in the workshop; Bale Mountains National Park and Holqa Sof Umar: Natural
and Cultural Heritage (Sofumar: Caves of Mystery). Due to a number of unforeseen
challenges, the workshop was moved back to Addis Ababa, and thus on the third day the
participants returned to Addis Ababa” (Taruvinga& Mwamulowe, 2015). According to the

37
interviewees one major challenge from the above expressed a number of unforeseen
challenges was problems related to accommodation and related facilities in robe.
In addition, according to research conducted by bruk and Zemene (2015) “In the aspects of
tourist facilities and infrastructure, 95.2% of respondents of their research, in both
destinations (Dirre sheik Hussien shrine and Sofumer cave), confirmed that there are no
tourist accommodation centers such as hotels/lodges. The zonal office tried to construct
house intended to be used as guest house/reception around the gate to Sofumer cave but it is
not functional. In addition currently it is used as store for some heritages and materials even
though the materials are deserved to be arranged in organized museum since it represents the
culture of the community.

Figure 19: Reception House and heritages inside it (Source: Photo by the Researchers, 2017)

4.3.1.9 Continuous Change of managers and members

According to information obtained from Focus group discussion (FGD) and interview, there
is frequent change of administrators and managers from their position. When new manager
and administrator is assigned, it will take a long period of time to understand problems and
related issues about heritage management, conservation and UNESCO registration.
Accompanied with lack of awareness from the side of managers and administrators since
tourism is an infant industry to our country, assigning of new managers and administrators
will provide problems to manage and conserve our heritages. As the researchers’ own
observation, zonal administrators and managers in the study area were newly assigned and far
from the problems raised in the previous related to UNESCO registration of our heritages but
the previous managers and administrators were selected purposively as interviewees to the
research since they got experience by different mechanisms even outside Ethiopia.

4.3.1.10 Electric power towards Mi’oo Town

According to the interviewees, the poles which are erected to transfer electric power to Mi’oo
town (capital of dawe qachen wereda) passes on the Sofumer cave system. During erection of
the poles, the ground is dugout in different parts. These activities will have impact on the
cave system in relation to cracking and flooding.

Figure 20: Electric power via Sofumer to Mi’oo (Source: Photo by researchers, 2017)

38
4.3.2 Current status of Sofumer cave
According to the information obtained from interview and FGD, Sofumer cave is not given
great emphasis in the conservation aspect, local benefit and UNESCO registration process
including awareness creation. There are many problems for the cave which can be a factor
not to be registered permanently such mapping, zonation, awareness and lack of emphasis,
conservation, interpretation, collaboration, accommodation facilities and services and other
related issues. According to Taruvinga and Mwamulowe (2015) “there is the need to clearly
show on a map/plan the said 15km length of the cave” and advise the state party “to consider
the geological component of the site and could also be used to explore the possibility of
protection as a GEOPARK and the cultural uses of the site are interesting but the State Party
needs to research on anthropological values, especially how the practices mentioned are of
international significance and have developed in relation to the natural values of the cave”.
From the above explanation, GEOPARK is recommended due to the absence of anthropology
professionals who can justify about the interaction of the community with the cave system
which is considered as cultural element and enable the cave to have mixed values as natural
and cultural.
Finally, Taruvinga and Mwamulowe (2015) provide comment to concerned stakeholders and
conclude that the potentiality of Sofumer cave to be registered permanently by UNESCO is
“low-medium”.

CHAPTER FIVE
5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1. Conclusion
This research is entitled as “Tentative World Heritage Sites of Bale Zone: Current status of
registration process and Problems for not Being Registered Permanently: The Case of Bale
Mountains National Park, Sofumer Cave and Dirre Sheik Hussein Shrine”. It has outshining
that Bale Zone has huge potential heritages to be registered as World heritage sites by
UNESCO. The World Heritage Sites description is given to places on earth that are of
outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the UNESCO
World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. This is
said due to the potential of the areas in heritages properties which have socio-cultural,
economical, historical and scientific values. The major potentials in relative to cultural
aspects of heritages, National Park, Cave and Shrine heritages are dominant as compared

39
with others. The heritage of the area mostly concentrated on the major sites of the area that is
Dirre Sheikh Hussein, Bale Mountain National Park and Sofumer Cave.
As the study confirmed, Even though the area is rich in natural and cultural heritages, there
are very serious problems that affects its registered permanently by UNESCO. The major
problems are lack of awareness, weak conservation, lack of tourism infrastructure
development, absence coordination among stakeholders, lack of finance, weak network
service, shortage of Electric power, lack of skilled professionals, shortage of Pure Water,
Uncontrolled Wild Fire, Agricultural expansion and Deforestation, lack of clearly identified
Buffer zone, and lack of clear demarcation and boundary in the areas. In addition, some
heritage sites do not have responsible body to give emphasis as World heritages properties by
UNESCO.

5.2. Recommendations
 Lack of awareness about the value and significance of heritages properties and values.
So strongly organized and collaborative training strategy and experience sharing
mechanisms with concerned bodies which is including Oromia Culture and Tourism
bureaus, Bale Zone Culture and Tourism offices, EWCA and NGOs (Frankfurt
Zoological Society), local representatives, Elders, and other concerned stakeholders
should be designed.
 On Bale Mountains National Park, there is always occurrence Uncontrolled Wild Fire
at winter. So for this great problem, concerned stakeholders should be identified and
investigate the reason of the problem and solve the problem as much as possible.
 Nowadays, Agricultural expansion and Deforestation is increasing highly, due to this,
Endemic Animals, Medical Plants, waters, priceless heritages are lost and ill-treated.
Especially Rira site is the main examples to prevail this problem. In some areas
heritage visited is believed to be lost Animals and Forests or clear land because their
main target is simply protecting and conserving the heritage in unprofessionally way.
 Lack of skilled professionals in the sector caused the heritages to be destroyed and
damaged in the study areas. This problem associates with shortage of research about
the heritages, lack of skill in relation to conservation methods and how to maintain
heritages which are in damage. So there should be skilled professionals in heritages
maintenance and conservation works at least in Bale Zone culture and tourism office.
 The fund/budget is essential element to conserve, protect and sustain heritages. The
lack of this huge element caused the heritages not to be conserved, promoted and

40
 managed properly. Different projects should be designed by culture tourism offices,
researchers, and NGOs to provide source of fund to manage and sustain the heritages
rather than keeping the allocated budget only from the government side. The
government also should increase the budget allocated annually to run the tourism
sector as much as possible to contribute to the management and conservation of
heritages.
 The lack of tourism infrastructure affects the heritage sites not to be visited,
promoted, managed and sustained. It also causes the heritage fragmented rather than
clustered, easily accessible so as to manage the heritages properly and registered
permanently as world heritage site by UNESCO. Infrastructure that provides service
to the tourists and local communities should be expanded to make the sites accessible
and easily manageable. Roads should be either constructed where they are not
available, or the quality improved where they are available. Furthermore, all
concerned stakeholders should participate in the development of infrastructures and
facilities to reduce the challenges in relation to heritage management in Bale Zone.
 These Heritages are controversial and challenging issue to manage, use and to
conserve the heritages. Such problems are appeared due to lack of clear boundaries
and Buffer Zone perspectives. So clear demarcation and Buffer zone should be
designed to manage the heritages in proper manner.
 Different stakeholders of the heritages are accomplishing their tasks separately in
narrowed scope rather than integrated in their plans and implementations. It needs the
coordination of all the stakeholders to manage and sustain the heritages in a proper
way. So strong coordination of stakeholders (government, community, NGO, local
enterprises and tourists) should work cooperatively to manage heritages appropriately.
 At this movement, the pure Water is the problem of allover the Zone, but in Dirre
Sheik Hussein Shrine and Sofumer town, this kind of problem is highly, so all
stakeholders should give attention more and to solve the problem.
 Weak conservation about the value and significance of Sheik Hussein Shrine and
Sofumer cave heritages authenticity causes damage and reduction of aesthetic values
of our heritages. Because of misunderstand resulted from Weak conservation as their
main target is simply protecting and reconstructing the heritages in traditional way
without using the unprofessionally. So concerned bodies (Oromia Culture and
Tourism bureaus, Bale Zone Culture and Tourism offices, Woredas Culture and
Tourism offices) should organized short and long training strategy about heritages
41
 conservation. In addition, Bale Zone Culture and Tourism office should
invite/participate experienced professionals in relation to UNESCO registration.
 There should be exposure and visitation programs for experts who are assigned to
prepare nomination files because such elements are very important to explain about
comparative analysis of the heritages.
 The continuous change of managers/leaders from their position should be minimized
by providing training and capacity building programs.

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Appendices

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