Cal Madow

Cal Madow (also Al Medu, Calmadow or Al Mado) is a mountain range in northeastern part of Somalia (Maakhir) extending from several kilometers west of Bosasso to the northwest of Erigavo. The highest peak of the mountain range is 2500 m at Shembir Beris, northwest of Erigavo. Calmadow was a destination for a tourism in the late 80s, but the Somali government failed to allocate enough resources to its development. It was mainly the populace in the Sanaag region that preserved its environment despite facing future risks of deforestation.

Ecology

The thickly closed mountain forest has an altitude between 700-800 m above sea level with a mean annual rainfall of 750-850mm. In addition to rainfall, Cal Madow receives additional precipitation as fog and winter rains, which support isolated forests of Juniperus, Buxus etc. Mist also appears to be important in the distribution of Juniperus (Dayib), one of the species the local people use for timber. The Buxus (Dhoqos), (Dayib) and Celtis (boodaar) poles are cut from living trees in the evergreen forest for timber production. The discovery of the locust bean (Ceratonia), Lavanders and many other species has emphasized the many links Cal Madow highlands have with the Mediterranean region.

Despite the current changes in land-use, Cal Madow has internationally valuable un-exploited mineral deposits and unique natural habitats. Cal Madow is considered world-class exploration plays with a petroleum system identical to and formerly contiguous with those within the Republic of Yemen. Florally, Cal Madow has approximately 1,000 plant species, 200 of which are only found in Cal Madow. Cal Madow and its neighboring areas also have richer fauna than other parts of Somalia and harbor some of the rarest and most localized Somalias endemic species. Here a Linnet (Warsanghelia johannis, Acanthus olivae (Pigeon) and Golden-winged Grosbeak occur, as well as colorful antelope, the Dorctrgus megalotis (Beira), and different species of gazelles.

The Environment of Cal Madow and its Protection

Cal Madow's environment suffered greatly in recent years, along with its ecology, many of which are unique to Cal Madow. Most of the remaining forests are small and fragmented and none are protected. Although the local knowledge of natural resources in Cal Madow is great, agriculturally and social projects, United Nations and foreign-aided development schemes usually fail to consider or make use of this knowledge.

Detailed studies of conserving the Cal Madow is needed to highlight the present status of these areas and provide guidelines for sustainable agricultural use and point to the benefits of conserving scarce forest resources, with the lack of proper utilization and conservation and the continuation of destroying the plants, then the livestock and the plants will die together and there will be nothing left for many generations to come. There are so many under-exploited Cal Madow plants that their proper study and assessment would be sure to yield benefit both to the people and to medical science.

The flora of Somalia contains more than 3000 species of vascular plants and is thus much richer than that of Sahel region in general and this constitutes unique genetic resources. Of the 156 plant families recorded from Somalia about 21% are restricted to the north, while 11% are found in the south. Somalia houses a greater number of endemic plant species, many of which occur in the north and eastern regions notably Cal Madow. Most of these species are beautiful herbs, which occur nowhere else in the world.

Botanical Survey In Cal Madow Range

In January 1995, a Team of Botanists led by Dr. Mats Thulin of the Uppsala University, Sweden visited the Cal Madow range, on behalf of Flora Somalia Project based in Uppsala. The survey was the most extensive botanical survey ever done in the area. About eight new species were discovered.

Furthermore, the area houses an important germplasm, which needs protection from the over-exploitation and senseless destruction of the humans. On the basis of the recent botanical survey in Cal Madow, the team recommends that the Cal Madow forest should be conserved as a national monument. They play an important role in the mountainous ecosystem and represent a valuable natural resource.

In addition, the forests offer unique opportunities for education and research. The agricultural benefit of clearing of those forests would be negligible. The development of wildlife reserve would be the use of these areas in Cal Madow. International support should encourage the development of a Study Center, which would increase awareness of the value of forest and provide long-term employment benefits. Some of the degraded forest should be brought to a more natural state while other areas are developed for timber, fuel-wood and honey production. Improved systems of the present farming, education and medical facilities are crucial to the success of the Wildlife Reserve.

Image Gallery

References

* [http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at1319_full.html Worldwildlife]
* Thulin, M. 1994. Cal Madow, Somalia and Hobyo, Somalia. In: S. D. Davis, V. H. Heywood & C. Hamilton (eds.), Centres of Plant Diversity, a guide and strategy for their conservation, Vol. 1: 194-197.
* Szymanski, Telka. " [http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/597.cfm Fatima Jibrell: Nursing Nature] Worldpress. July 2002.